The New York Jets hope to unlock one of their under-the-radar free agent signings this season: former Tennessee Titans fourth-round pick Rashad Weaver.
Weaver, 27, is excited about a fresh start with the Jets and an opportunity to revive his NFL career. A big part of that fresh start? Moving to a different position in the front seven.
“I’m excited. I get to be a defensive end, not an outside linebacker,” Weaver told reporters at the Jets’ mandatory minicamp. “I mean, in the most simple way: hand in the dirt, get off, attack and, you know, be the bully.”
In New York, he will return to the true defensive end position that he played in college for the Pittsburgh Panthers. During his career at Pitt, Weaver thrived in a traditional 4-3 scheme, putting him on the radar of NFL scouts.
Since entering the NFL, however, Weaver has yet to return to that alignment. Instead, he has primarily been used as a stand-up outside linebacker in the Titans’ defense, a shift that has limited his effectiveness and consistency at the NFL level.
Weaver appeared in 33 games over three seasons in Tennessee. His best year came in 2022, when he recorded all 5.5 of his career sacks. He also totaled 49 tackles, including 11 for loss, and 15 quarterback hits during his Titans tenure.
“Weaver is a rotational rusher who has bounced around in the past year,” Titans beat reporter Easton Freeze told me when the Jets signed the pass-rusher. “Nice guy in the locker room. Good teammate by all accounts. Just needs the right coaching to unlock another gear for him to make a bigger impact.”
Weaver bounced around in 2024, spending time with the Titans, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams. He played three games for Houston, logging no stats over 14 defensive snaps.
Now with a chance to earn a spot in the Jets’ thin defensive front, Weaver is aiming to prove he belongs, and he believes that will happen thanks to his fit in a new defensive system.
Behind Will McDonald, the Jets have Jermaine Johnson returning from a torn Achilles and limited proven depth at the edge rusher position.
If Weaver delivers a strong summer while playing his preferred role, he could make a legitimate push for a spot on the 53-man roster.
