The New York Jets want a family reunion in 2026.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed that the Jets are “definitely interested” in bringing back veteran placekicker Nick Folk this offseason.
Folk, 41, strongly pondered retirement at the end of the season. However, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero posted on social media on March 3, “Nick Folk plans to play a 19th NFL season, per source, and is expected to be one of the top options on the market at age 41.”
“Since 2023, Folk is the NFL’s most accurate kicker (96.3%), missing just one FG each season, going 18-of-20 from 50+ and 75-of-77 on XPs,” Pelissero added.
Since 2023, Folk is the NFL’s most accurate kicker (96.3%), missing just one FG each season, going 18-of-20 from 50+ and 75-of-77 on XPs.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Folk joined the Jets just days into training camp in late July. He immediately beat out the younger, unproven options on the roster and proved he clearly still has it.
The former Arizona product finished 28-of-29 on his field goal attempts. For the third straight year, Folk led the NFL in field goal conversion rate. Despite his advancing age, Folk continues to prove he has plenty left in the tank.
While the Jets didn’t win many games, finishing 3-14, their special teams unit was elite. Folk played a huge role in that.
Folk Hero Is Due for a Massive Pay Day
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic confirmed that the Jets “are interested in bringing back kicker Nick Folk, but he’s expected to explore his market.”
That market is expected to be quite robust.
On March 7, the San Francisco 49ers agreed to a four-year $17 million extension that included $10 million guaranteed with former Jets kicker Eddy Piñeiro, per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
That $4.25 million annual salary made Piñeiro the No. 14 highest-paid placekicker in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini noted that Folk and Piñeiro “had the exact same FG stats” last season. However, one key difference is that Folk is 41, and Piñeiro is 30. Cimini admitted that “an 11-year difference in age is a factor in overall value. But Folk, who made $2.875 million last season, deserves a raise.”
Latest Scoop on Jets in-House Free Agents
Don’t expect any last-second deals before the legal tampering period on Monday, March 9 at noon.
Cimini posted on social media that the Jets are going to “allow those players to shop around.”
That can be a dangerous game to play because these unrestricted free agents don’t have to bring contracts back to the Jets for a potential matching opportunity. They can just go sign deals with new teams if they so please.
Cimini revealed that the Jets have “interest in retaining” guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson. AVT is “expected to have a market.”
Cimini revealed that there is some “interest” in the Jets re-signing wide receiver John Metchie. They had an opportunity to tender him on a one-year restricted free agent tender. The Jets chose not to do so, which made Metchie an unrestricted free agent.
Linebacker Quincy Williams “isn’t expected to be back; he will have suitors,” Cimini added.
There’s interest in retaining G Alijah Vera-Tucker, G John Simpson and K Nick Folk, but they
The new league year starts on Wednesday, March 11 at 4 pm ET. At that time, teams can officially agree to terms on deals and trades can be finalized.
Jets Trying to Bring Back Key Piece, Expected to Command Serious Interest