The Jets remain busy in their defensive overhaul. New York is in position to add veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata to the mix for 2026.
The parties have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. This pact has a base value of $10.5MM with $9.65MM guaranteed, Garafolo adds. Onyemata will play outside the NFC South for the first time in his career next season.
A former Saints draftee and Falcons free agency addition, Onyemata will turn 34 this year. While that $10MM-plus pact represents another nice payday, it is not on the level of his 2023 Atlanta deal (three years, $35MM). This is Onyemata’s fourth NFL contract, however. He also played out a three-year, $27MM Saints deal. While not exactly a household name, the Nigerian defensive lineman will surpass $75MM in career earnings via this contract.
As our top 50 free agent list showed, this was not a good year to need a veteran defensive tackle. Only one (John Franklin-Myers) appeared on the list, and his high placement (No. 6) was largely due to the lack of prime-years difference-makers available. The Titans paid up for Franklin-Myers (three years, $63MM).
Onyemata carries a different skillset, excelling more against the run. Last season, Onyemata ranked ninth in run stop win rate. ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric also ranked the 335-pounder 17th among interior D-linemen. The Falcons turbocharged their pass rush in 2025, rocketing back to relevance with 57 sacks — behind only the Broncos’ 68. Onyemata only tallied one of those sacks, but he recorded seven tackles for loss in a 17-game season. He notched 21 TFLs during a three-year Georgia stay.
Aaron Glenn is diving into his past with two of his additions today. Onyemata will join former Saints teammate Demario Davis. By season’s end, these ex-Saints will give the Jets a 37-year-old linebacker and 34-year-old D-lineman. With Glenn’s seat warming after a rough 2025, he will turn to former cogs he trusts to start Year 2 in New York.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Dang, wanted Onyemata to my Raiders trenches…
Have to wonder if he can bounce back to his average sack totals after only tallying one last year but a solid low risk signing to get him on a one year deal.
I get the younger signings of Enagbare and Ossai more for this team, but it’s hard to blame a team for looking at a huge amount of cap space and using a chunk of it to beef up the defensive front like crazy.
Are Phillips and Briggs still under contract? It’s basically a given that Mazi Smith will be cut, but the interior D front room is basically full with those two plus Sweat and Onyemata now.
Yes to all of the above.