The New York Jets are on the board with their first signing of free agency.
They have agreed to a deal with former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is for three years and $36 million with $22.5 million fully guaranteed.
Ossai, 25, had five sacks, 43 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and 12 quarterback hits for the Bengals in 14 games (nine starts) last season.
Edge rusher was already a glaring need for the Jets entering the offseason. After trading Jermaine Johnson, it catapulted to their clear-cut No. 2 need after quarterback.
Ossai, who stands at 6-foot-4 and 263 pounds, was a third-round pick of the Bengals in 2021. After missing his entire rookie year with a meniscus injury and getting limited playing time over his first two NFL seasons, Ossai emerged into a featured role from 2024-25, logging 1,189 snaps.
In 2025, Ossai recorded a career-high 43 total pressures, placing 42nd among edge rushers. He also built a reputation as a quality run defender; his 70.7 run defense grade at Pro Football Focus ranked 15th among 64 qualifiers at his position.
On a $12 million salary with over $22 million guaranteed, the Jets are hoping that the soon-to-be 26-year-old continues his upward trajectory. Ossai set career highs in total pressures in each of the past two seasons, and his 2025 work as a run defender was also the best of his career from a statistical standpoint.
Ossai also offers the ability to occasionally drop into coverage, which could be of use for the Jets as they potentially switch to a 3-4 scheme under Aaron Glenn. Ossai dropped into coverage 34 times this past season, although the results weren’t ideal (7-of-7 passing for 63 yards and a touchdown).
Penalties are another concern for Ossai, who had seven this past season. He also made national headlines for his critical unnecessary roughness penalty in the 2022 AFC championship game, likely costing the Bengals a second consecutive trip to the Super Bowl.
Overall, Ossai performed like a mid-level starting edge rusher last season, and his contract is fair for that level of play. He gives the Jets a quality body in a room that was essentially vacant, raising the unit’s floor. But at 26 years old and coming off back-to-back years of improvement, there is potential for him to keep trending up.
