John Franklin-Myers has gotten off to a strong start in his fourth season, and the Jets are rewarding the veteran defensive lineman. The parties have agreed on an extension, D.J. Bien-Aime of the New York Daily News tweets. A 2018 fourth-round pick, Franklin-Myers was set to become a free agent in 2022.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport initially reported that it was a four-year, $55MM deal with $30.2MM guaranteed (via Twitter). Connor Hughes of The Athletic later tweeted more details, including Franklin-Myers’ base salaries from 2022-25 ($1.5MM, $11.4MM, $13.3MM, $14.3MM), and signing bonus ($2MM). Franklin-Myers will also get a $10MM roster bonus for the 2022 season, and he can earn $500K in per-game roster bonuses each year.
The Jets picked up Franklin-Myers via waivers ahead of the 2019 season. He represents one of Joe Douglas‘ first notable acquisitions as Jets GM. The Rams drafted Franklin-Myers out of Stephen F. Austin and used him as a backup throughout their 2018 NFC championship season. Despite Franklin-Myers sacking Tom Brady once in Super Bowl LIII, the Rams cut him prior to his second season.
A rotational player prior to 2021, Franklin-Myers has already matched his career high with three sacks this season. Pro Football Focus grades Franklin-Myers as a top-25 D-linemen through four games; his 17 hurries rank 11th thus far this season. He has helped a Jets pass rush in need after the loss of big-ticket free agent Carl Lawson. PFF graded Franklin-Myers as a top-35 edge defender in 2020, when he played 44% of New York’s defensive snaps.
Franklin-Myers participated in the Jets’ seven-sack romp against the Titans, dropping Ryan Tannehill for a sack and hitting the besieged Tennessee quarterback three times. He joins a few pieces on Gang Green’s defensive line signed beyond 2021. Quinnen Williams‘ rookie deal runs through 2022, and the Jets’ top D-lineman can be controlled on his rookie deal through 2023 via the fifth-year option. Lawson is signed through 2023, Sheldon Rankins through 2022.