The majority of NFL free agency has concluded, and the New York Jets made a flurry of moves.

One of the team’s more puzzling moves, though (in the eyes of New York’s fanbase), was their decision to re-sign safety Andre Cisco on a one-year deal worth up to $5.25 million.

Last season, the Valley Stream, N.Y., native signed with the Jets on a one-year deal where he was expected to serve as the team’s ball-hawking, center-field free safety.

However, after eight games, he suffered a pectoral injury, ending his 2025 season.

Even when Cisco was on the field, though, he struggled to be a difference-maker. He logged a mediocre 54.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus along with 41 tackles (26 solo), one tackle for loss, one pass defensed, and a fumble recovery.

Tackling was a major issue for the veteran. His nine missed tackles resulted in an 18.4% missed tackle rate, ranking 10th-worst among 83 qualified safeties (min. 400 snaps).

Down the stretch last season, fourth-round rookie Malachi Moore exceeded expectations when pushed into a starting role. The Jets proceeded to add three-time All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton, bringing much-needed beef to a position of need.

The room seemed set with those three players. So, why did the Jets bring Cisco back?

Why the Jets decided to re-sign Andre Cisco

A year ago, Cisco was viewed as arguably the Jets’ best value add on the open market.

Before a down season in 2024, he was one of the league’s best ball-hawking free safeties with the Jacksonville Jaguars. From 2022-23, Cisco ranked fourth among safeties in interceptions (7). Beyond that, he collected more picks than touchdowns allowed in coverage over that span, logging a 2:3 TD: INT ratio in 2023 and a 2:4 ratio during the 2023 season.

It’s easy to understand why the Jets viewed him as a low-risk, high-reward investment on a one-year, $10 million deal.

It appears that New York took the same approach to re-signing him, but there is a big difference: he will not be viewed as a starter.

Things didn’t work out for Cisco last year, but it only allowed the Jets to take another shot on Cisco for a lower price with lower expectations.

When Cisco arrived last offseason, he was indisputably viewed as the team’s free safety No. 1. At the time, it was a no-brainer given how weak the Jets’ safety room was.

Ahead of the 2026 season, though, the outlook at safety is entirely different for Gang Green.

After acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick, it is obvious that the three-time All-Pro will serve as the team’s starting free safety, while Malachi Moore and Dane Belton are expected to battle for the team’s starting duties at strong safety. Perhaps another safety could be added to that mix during April’s NFL draft.

Cisco will provide meaningful depth and competition for a reasonable price. Still only 25 years old, he also offers the upside of getting back to the player he was from 2022-23, when he snagged seven picks across 30 games.

On a much cheaper deal surrounded by much better players, Cisco returns to New York with a chance to get on the right track.