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Austin Howard has signed his restricted free agent tender.
Right Tackle Austin Howard signed his RFA tender.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 15, 2013
The tender is a one year contract worth $2.02 million. It felt like a formality. Other teams were free to sign Howard, but the Jets had the right to match any offer. More importantly, if the Jets chose not to match an offer, the other team would have had to give the Jets a second round pick in exchange for the right tackle.
Howard had an up and down 2012 for the Jets. There were moments where he looked like a top notch tackle and others when he looked like one of the worst. He was an upgrade over Wayne Hunter, but his limited athleticism leaves questions about how well he will hold up without a top notch guard like Brandon Moore next to him. A year away from unrestricted free agency, 2013 could be a year that will make or break Howard's career if the Jets do not upgrade the position.