The Tennessee Titans just can’t stop loading up on former New York Jets defenders, as NFL insider Jordan Schultz is reporting that the Titans have signed edge rusher Jacob Martin to a two-year deal, worth up to $11 million.
Martin, an eight-year veteran, is coming off a career-best season with the Washington Commanders, where he recorded 5.5 sacks, bringing his career total to 26.5.
Throughout his career, the Temple product has spent time with seven different NFL teams, not including Tennessee.
In Washington last year, Martin tied his career high with 14 starts and played 63% of snaps for the Commanders.
It led to his best output in terms of production and now a bigger payday in free agency.
Robert Saleh and His Love Affair With Ex-Jets
The newest head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Robert Saleh, has made a habit of bringing former New York Jets defenders during his first offseason at the helm.
It’s tough to classify Martin as an ex-Jet; he only played eight games with the franchise in 2022 before being traded away at the deadline, but he’s a former Jet nonetheless.
He joins fellow edge Jermaine Johnson, a former New York first-round pick, whom the Titans shipped out defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat for during the NFL Combine.
Johnson figures to play a key role in establishing Saleh’s defensive identity.
On Day 1 of the legal tampering period, Tennessee put the full-court press on signing defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers to a three-year, $63 million deal, reportedly beating out the San Francisco 49ers for his services.
The former Denver Bronco made his name with the Jets and was a staple of Saleh’s defensive fronts from 2021 to 2023. Franklin-Myers racked up 17.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and one interception throughout his New York tenure.
He was traded to Denver before Saleh’s final season, but the two are now reunited on the Titans.
The latest Jet to join Saleh in Tennessee is safety Tony Adams. The undrafted free agent out of Illinois spent the first four years of his career with New York, and was a diamond in the rough find by the front office and coaching staff.
He received a one-year deal, and like the others, will hopefully help carry Saleh’s defensive messaging to the rest of the Titans. Throughout his career, he’s racked up four interceptions and deflected 16 passes.
State of the Titans Pass Rushers
The Tennessee Titans are certainly looking like a Saleh team. When he was with the New York Jets, the head coach could never have enough pass rushers, and here they are loading up.
With Johnson, Martin, and second-year pass rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo in the mix, the Titans certainly have some juice off the edge, but is it enough for Saleh’s liking?
Probably not, and it would make a lot of sense if Tennessee still felt like targeting another defensive end in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The top three edges in the incoming class are Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., and Texas Tech’s David Bailey.
With Fernando Mendoza essentially locked into the No. 1 pick, the good news for the Titans is that one or two of those edges are guaranteed to fall to them.
The Jets are likely to select one at No. 2 overall, but the Arizona Cardinals‘ plans at No. 3 remain unclear. They have plenty of holes to fill, including edge, and are a true wildcard.
We’ll see how the draft board shakes out come April, but expect Saleh to pound the desk in general manager Mike Borgonzi’s office for a new pass rusher at No. 4.
Titans Sign Former Jets 26.5-Sack Artist With Ties to Robert Saleh