The New York Jets have added to their offensive line depth by retaining a backup interior lineman.
According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, offensive lineman Xavier Newman-Johnson has signed his exclusive rights tender with the Jets, which New York extended to Newman-Johnson on March 7.
This means he will remain with the team on a one-year contract for the league minimum salary of $1.03 million, which does not include guaranteed money.
Newman-Johnson signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL draft but appeared in only one game as a rookie after spending most of that season on the practice squad.
The Baylor product began the 2023 season on the Titans roster and appeared in three games (one start) before being waived on October 2.
After being claimed by New York, Newman-Johnson ultimately played seven games (four starts) for the Jets during the 2023 season, logging snaps at right guard (244), center (36), and left guard (12). He posted a 47.8 overall grade per Pro Football Focus, allowing four sacks and committing two penalties.
Most notably, Newman-Johnson filled in at center during the Jets’ Week 8 overtime win over the Giants. While playing his first-ever regular season snaps at center, he executed a last-second spike drill to set up the game-tying field goal at the end of the fourth quarter.
In 2024, Newman-Johnson earned a spot on the initial 53-man roster after showing great progress in the preseason.
During the 2024 season, Newman-Johnson played in nine games for the Jets (zero starts), logging just 11 total snaps, all at right guard. In New York’s Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he suffered a neck injury that landed him on injured reserve, causing him to miss the next four games.
The 25-year-old brings experience and versatility as a depth option. With the ERFA tender, the Jets owe him no fully guaranteed money, making it a very low-risk move for the team.
