Jason Taylor Signs Deal With New York Jets

After weeks of waiting, the Jets finally appear to have their man: defensive end/outside linebacker Jason Taylor has reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Jets, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

The free-agent Taylor had been linked with the Jets for several weeks now, but had been waiting for the Dolphins to make an offer first, despite them telling him they would not make a decision until after draft. The 35 year-old Taylor had wanted to end his career as a Dolphin -- and especially didn't want to be seen leaving the franchise for such a bitter division rival -- but his apparent lack of a future in South Florida more or less forced his hand. Taylor's agent confirmed that his client has signed a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with incentives with the Jets.

Taylor figures to line up as an outside linebacker in the Jets' 3-4 scheme, for a unit surprisingly bereft of pass-rushers given its status as the top-ranked defensive unit in the league last season. SB Nation's Gang Green Nation applauded the move, and hopes fans can move past the fact that Taylor used to don Miami's uniform:

I'm very happy about this, it opens up a lot of options for us, it gives us a legitimate pass rusher opposite Pace. Let's give the guy a clean slate, he is now a Jet, and as far as I'm concerned that's negates everything he has said while playing up to the Miami media. [...] All that anyone should care about is getting to that 2010 Superbowl, and in my personal opinion and you can take it for what you will, Jason Taylor get's us a step closer.

Taylor's signing certainly makes outside linebacker less of a pressing priority for the Jets in the draft, and should free them to draft the best available player.

For more on the Jets, check out SB Nation's Gang Green Nation.