Jets Sign Sherwood to Lucrative Contract

For New York, Sherwood represents one of the few victories the previous regime found in player development, turning the 2021 fifth-round selection into one of the game’s better linebackers. He’ll join linebacker Quincy Williams on that list of cultivated talents who were eventually extended by the team.

Sherwood had long been a part-time and special teams contributor, but in 2024 linebacker C.J. Mosley’s season was cut short due to injury. Sherwood stepped into a starting role and continued his ascension, maintaining the quality of play he saw in small sample sizes to keep the Jets strong at the second level.

He logged an absurd 158 tackles in his breakout season, including a league-high 98 solo tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He tacked on three passes defended and two sacks for good measure.

Sherwood is one of several 2025 linebacker free agents that earned a raise ahead of the new league year. The Seattle Seahawks signed Ernest Jones IV to a three-year, $33 million deal, the Kansas City Chiefs and Nick Bolton agreed to a nearly identical contract to Sherwood, and the Philadelphia Eagles rewarded Zack Baun with a three-year, $51 million extension.

When the dust settles, that should make Sherwood the fifth-highest paid linebacker by total value (tied with Bolton), average annual value, and guaranteed money (Over the Cap).

Needless to say, New York is investing heavily in its group of linebackers, especially with Mosley under contract next season. But from a process standpoint, it’s hard to argue against keeping quality, homegrown talents in the building instead of overpaying for veterans and bidding against 31 NFL teams.

If Sherwood maintains his level of performance, the Jets will celebrate his contract; if he continues to ascend, they’ll once again strike gold at linebacker. It’s possible Williams’ continued growth earns him a new contract, having been underpaid by New York’s three-year, $18 million deal, further investing in the second level.

Mougey is prioritizing talent over positional value, and given Sherwood’s profile, it’s hard to blame him.

Sherwood’s deal was negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.