MONDAY, 2:29pm: The Jets have officially announced the deal.
SATURDAY, 10:45am: NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport has confirmed the signing on Twitter, noting that it’s a one-year deal for Carter.
9:52am: Former Cowboys and Buccaneers linebacker Bruce Carter had zeroed in on a landing spot. According to Jenna Laine of Sports Talk 1040 (via Twitter), the 28-year-old is expected to sign with the Jets. The former second-round pick also visited the Lions and Bills this past week.
Carter joined the Buccaneers last offseason on a four-year deal, and he was expected to slide in as the team’s starting middle linebacker. His lone season with Tampa Bay ended up being rather uninspiring. The veteran started only three of his 14 games, and he ended up playing less than a third of his team’s defensive snaps. His counting stats were still solid, as he compiled 47 tackles and a pair of sacks. The Buccaneers eventually cut Carter in early March.
Prior to his tenure in Tampa Bay, Carter was a rather fearsome force in the middle of the Cowboys defense. His 2014 campaign saw him compiling 48 tackles, eight passes defended, and five interceptions (which led to one defensive touchdown). In 2013, he started 13 games and finished with a career-high 96 tackles.
Despite having re-signed Erin Henderson, the Jets were in the market for a linebacker after having lost Demario Davis in free agency. Carter’s ability to play inside and outside linebacker in 4-3 defensive schemes should make him a versatile addition to the defense.