After giving up on one reclamation project, the New York Jets are going to see if Rex Ryan can work his magic on another once-promising first-round draft pick.
In an attempt to bolster their pass rush the Jets have signed Buffalo Bills bust Aaron Maybin, according to multiple reports.
The Bills released Maybin on Monday after back-to-back disappointing seasons. He was taken with the 11th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
The once-promising linebacker out of Penn State was expected to sign with the Jets Wednesday, pending a physical.
The Jets, however, didn’t sign Maybin for his production. His first two years in the NFL have been less than stellar after the linebacker failed to register a single sack or start a game in two years with the Bills.
The Jets already have a strong group of players at linebacker, with Bart Scott, David Harris, Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace leading the way. So it appears that the 23-year-old Maryland native will continue to be a backup.
“I think he’s got some talent, some pass-rush ability and, if he sticks with our team, he would be a pass rusher for us,” Rex Ryan said, according to the Associated Press. “We don’t need him to be a starter. We’ve got two excellent starting outside linebackers already. We’ll give him an opportunity to help on defense and help Mike Westhoff on special teams.”
The Jets will try to do what they couldn’t with their own first-round pick in Vernon Gholston who struggled during his time with the Jets, even after Ryan was named head coach.
Gholston was selected in the first-round of the 2008 draft and like Maybin, hasn’t sacked a quarterback since leaving college as highly touted defensive player.
Gholston signed with the Chicago Bears after the Jets waived him before the lockout.
