New York Jets re-sign the local boy, safety Anthony Cioffi

08/21/2020

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 15: Rutgers head coach Chris Ash talks to Anthony Cioffi #31 and Blessuan Austin #10 during the third quarter against Illinois during a game on October 15, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Illinois defeated Rutgers 24-7. — (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Joe Douglas and the New York Jets have brought back the local boy, Springfield Township’s own Anthony Cioffi.

The local boy has returned. On Friday, Joe Douglas and the New York Jets brought back safety Anthony Cioffi, per a tweet by his agent, Joe Linta.

Congratulations to client @Acioffi06 on signing with the @nyjets

— JL Sports (@JLSports3) August 21, 2020

Cioffi, 25, was cut last Sunday to make room for tight end Connor Davis.

The Rutgers product is a native of Springfield Township, NJ and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders after the 2017 NFL draft. There, he was one of the many camp casualties prior to Week 1, officially waived on Sept. 2, 2017.

After a two-year stint with the Ottawa Redbacks in the CFL, Douglas plucked him this past offseason (Feb. 13, 2020).

Cioffi started all four years in college and literally did it all in the defensive backfield. Starting his freshman and sophomore years at cornerback, Cioffi moved to free safety his junior year before finishing his collegiate career at strong safety. In the NFL, although he might be labeled as a cornerback by some outlets, he is undoubtedly a safety.

Wearing No. 33 at camp last Friday, the local boy took on Jamal Adams’ number for the past few seasons. Eric Smith is another guy who immediately comes to mind.

Anthony’s parents, Jerry and Josephine, run a deli in his hometown of Springfield, NJ. Pascarella Brothers in Morristown, NJ is another extended family-owned and run deli.

Until further notice, Anthony Cioffi remains an underdog favorite the majority of Jets fandom is rooting for, similarly to that of Wayne Chrebet (Garfield, NJ native) during the Summer of 1995.