On Thursday, the New York Jets finalized several roster moves by re-signing tight end Jelani Woods and placing exclusive rights tenders on defensive tackle Jowon Briggs and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball. These steps aim to strengthen the team’s core as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Jelani Woods Returns to the Jets Amid Injury Challenges
Jelani Woods, 27, originally joined the Jets as a waiver claim last summer, drawing moderate attention during the closing weeks of training camp. Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, Woods has struggled to secure consistent playing time due to persistent injuries. His rookie year marked his only fully active season, while he appeared in just four games for the Jets last season.
Unfortunately, Woods missed the entire 2023 season because of ongoing hamstring problems, followed by turf toe surgery that sidelined him for all of 2024. Details regarding the terms of his new contract have not been disclosed.
Jets Use Exclusive Rights Tendencies on Defensive Players
Alongside Woods’s re-signing, the Jets also exercised exclusive rights tenders on two defenders to keep promising talent within the team framework. Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs, 24, was acquired in late August in a trade with the Cleveland Browns, involving a seventh-round pick for a 2026 sixth-round draft choice. Briggs became a key presence on the Jets’ defensive line during a difficult season that ended with just three wins.
Exclusive rights free agents like Briggs have not yet accumulated three NFL seasons, preventing them from negotiating with other teams and resulting in one-year contracts at the league minimum. Briggs’s initial contract was a standard four-year rookie deal, but it expired after 2025 due to his time on the practice squad in 2024.
Linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball Also Retained on Exclusive Rights Tender
Linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball, 26, who has three years of NFL experience but only one fully accrued season where he dressed for at least six games, is another player retained by the Jets through the exclusive rights tender process. This ensures his continuation with the team under similar contractual conditions to Briggs.
Implications for the Jets’ Roster Stability and Future
By re-signing Jelani Woods and securing exclusive rights tenders on key defensive players Jowon Briggs and Marcelino McCrary-Ball, the Jets are reinforcing their roster depth ahead of the next campaign. Woods’s return offers hope for a rebound if he can overcome his injury setbacks, while the defensive acquisitions promise continuity and potential growth within the team’s defensive unit. As the franchise moves forward, maintaining such players could be vital in improving performance and competitiveness.
“We’ve re-signed TE Jelani Woods and exercised the exclusive rights tender for DT Jowon Briggs and LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 5, 2026”
We've re-signed TE Jelani Woods and exercised the exclusive rights tender for DT Jowon Briggs and LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 5, 2026
