Can some Twitter talk between former teammates spark a reunion in the New York Jets' defensive backfield?
The Jets have a starting spot open at safety, and veteran Quandre Diggs is available after being released by the Seattle Seahawks following five years with the club. Meanwhile, New York starting cornerback D.J. Reed, who shared the Seattle defensive backfield with Diggs in 2020 and 2021, remains connected with his old friend via social media.
It was Diggs who initiated a recent interaction between the two men, doing so one day after news of his release surfaced. Posting a reflective message to his Twitter timeline, the 27-year-old Reed said "These 27 years of life have been great...."
The 31-year-old Diggs joined the conversation, reposting the message and personalizing it by adding "31*." Reed replied to the three-time Pro Bowler by writing "Wassup @qdiggs6 ."
Another Twitter exchange unfolded the following day, Thursday, and it ended with an invitation for a potential joint workout.
"... i’m bout to come out there and get some corner work with you!" said Diggs.
Seemingly onboard with the idea, Reed said, in a reply, "You know where I’m at."
With Jets' starting safety Jordan Whitehead and second-stringer Ashtyn Davis both set to hit the free agent market, the thought of a Diggs-Reed rendezvous is somewhat plausible.
Diggs, a 2015 sixth-round draft pick, was reliable and productive for the Seahawks. He has made 67 consecutive starts since 2020, totaling 15 interceptions and three Pro Bowl selections over that span. Diggs averaged 76 tackles per season over the last four years.
Since departing Seattle, Reed has emerged into a highly-respected cornerback while playing opposite two-time All-Pro Sauce Gardner. Reed has limited opposing receivers to 6.1 yards per target over a 32-game sample in New York.
With teams releasing veterans such as Eddie Jackson, Justin Simmons and Jordan Poyer, the safety jobs market may be as competitive as ever. Signing an accomplished commodity to a reasonable salary could be the way to go.
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