Jets finalize deal with Valley Stream's Andre Cisco to be their starting safety
Andre Cisco of the Jacksonville Jaguars warms up prior to a game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium on Oct. 6, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Credit: Getty Images
The Jets brought Andre Cisco closer to his old home.
Cisco, who grew up on Long Island, is the Jets’ new starting safety. He signed a one-year contract worth up to $10 million on Friday. Cisco spent his first four NFL seasons playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jets also reached an agreement with Bengals defensive tackle Jay Tufele and signed punter Austin McNamara, who also spent time with Cincinnati last season.
Jets new head coach Aaron Glenn made getting Cisco a priority in free agency with safety being a position of need. The Jets struck a deal with Cisco, who is from Valley Stream and attended St. Anthony’s High School for two years, on the first day teams could negotiate with players.
Cisco, 24, was selected out of Syracuse by the Jaguars in the third round (65th overall) of the 2021 draft. He became a full-time starter in his second season and showed he has a nose for the football. Cisco totaled eight interceptions, including a pick-6, over the past three seasons. He has 229 tackles, 24 passes defended and three forced fumbles in his career (63 games).
Tufele, who is 6-3, 303 pounds, provides depth on the defensive line. He’s played 34 games for Jacksonville and Cincinnati over the past four seasons. Tufele had 15 tackles in a career-high 13 games for the Bengals last season.
McNamara, who punted at Texas Tech and was with the Bengals for training camp last year, hasn’t punted in an NFL game. He joins veteran Thomas Morstead as the punters on the roster.
The Jets also came to terms with former Bears defensive tackle Byron Cowart and are bringing back kick returner Kene Nwangwu on a one-year deal up to $2.5 million. Nwangwu, who had a 99-yard kick return touchdown against Seattle in Week 13, suffered a season-ending hand injury the following week.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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