The New York Jets have lost a piece of the puzzle.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed on social media that the Indianapolis Colts have struck a three-year contract with defensive lineman Micheal Clemons. The deal has a maximum value of $18.5 million, according to Schultz.
Clemons had 8.5 sacks, 13 TFLs and 2 forced fumbles during his tenure in New York.
Jets Defensive Line Takes a Hit
Clemons, 28, will turn 29 before the start of the 2026 season.
The former Texas A&M product originally entered the league as the No. 117 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
During his four years with the team, Clemons appeared in 65 games and made 24 starts. With those opportunities, he has registered 8.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss, 119 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and two pass deflections.
Top Social Media Reactions to Clemons Leaving the Jets
“The Colts, fresh off freeing up cap space with the Daniel Jones extension, help fortify their defensive line with a former Jet,” Schultz wrote.
“Always had some intriguing potential that he never fully hit in New York. Don’t hate the swing,” Colts writer Zach Hicks responded.
“Mougs completely broke the Colts,” Drew from Jersey surmised.
“Honestly the only surprise here is he didn’t reunite with a former Jets coach. Good money for Clemons. Figured he’d get a sizable contract,” The Jet Press wrote.
Colts Get a Consolation Prize
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport revealed that the Colts were in “pole position” to land Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency.
However, the Baltimore Ravens called off their trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby. That opened up a massive hole at defensive end and a surge of cap space for Baltimore.
Indianapolis thought they were going to land Hendrickson, but Baltimore went over the top with their contract offer, and that locked him in. This left the Colts out in the wind.
After losing out on Hendrickson, the Colts pivoted to a former Jets defensive lineman in Clemons as their consolation prize. Not exactly the same type of player, but they do both play on the defensive line.
Clemons Has a Complicated Legacy With Jets Fans
On one hand, Clemons came into the league through humble beginnings—a fourth-round draft choice who made the roster and was a rotational piece.
Considering his entry point in the league, Clemons did a halfway decent job when you look at his production.
However, he had a lot of red flags throughout his tenure. Quite frankly, he had plenty of yellow flags as well throughout his tenure.
Clemons got himself into trouble with untimely penalties, he got into fights both on and off the field, and his personality rubbed fans the wrong way.
With all of that extra baggage, Jets fans don’t seem particularly heartbroken at this news that Clemons is parting ways with the team.
This offseason, the Jets were undergoing a schematic change. After operating with a 4-3 defense primarily, they will now shift to a 3-4. That change put Clemons’ future into question. Several other Jets defenders’ futures are also now murky with these changes.
Jets Lose Pass Rusher to Colts on $18.5 Million Deal in Free Agency