The New York Jets bring a solid depth piece back into their linebacker room with the signing of Neville Hewitt.
The Jets have made their first offseason move the inside linebacker position, agreeing to bring back Neville Hewitt on a one-year, $2 million deal.
The #Jets have agreed to terms with and are re-signing LB Neville Hewitt.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2020
Due to Avery Williamson‘s season-ending injury in the preseason, Hewitt was a Week 1 starter next to C.J. Mosley. Hewitt would play 12 games, ranking third on the Jets’ defense with 762 snaps. He generally played at least 98% of the defensive snaps in a given game. On special teams, Hewitt played 116 snaps, including a team-leading 5.5 snaps per game on the punt unit. He also appeared on the punt return and field goal/extra point block units.
Hewitt provides the Jets with decent depth and good special teams play, but he is clearly not a starting option.
At the linebacker position, attention now turns to the free agency of James Burgess. Bringing back Burgess is not a necessity with Hewitt under contract, but the Jets could establish one of the better duos of backup ‘backers in the league if they can get a deal done with Burgess.
