Jets Sign LB Spencer Paysinger

The New York Jets have signed free agent Spencer Paysinger. Paysinger last played for the Miami Dolphins in 2016. He is a soon to be 29 year old (June 28th), 6’ 2”, 249 pound linebacker out of the University of Oregon.

Paysinger was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants in 2011. He has done much of his NFL work on special teams, accumulating a total of just 17 starts in six NFL seasons. His last and only year as a starting NFL linebacker on a regular basis came in 2013 with the Giants. For his career Paysinger has racked up 176 tackles, one sack, four passes defended, five fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and a partridge in a pear tree.

It is a bit odd that the Jets, in the midst of a major youth movement, would choose to fill an opening for a backup linebacker with a 29 year old career backup with no upside. Obviously this is not a major roster move and these kinds of back of the roster signings rarely have much if any significance, but if the team is purging the roster of older players, wouldn’t it make sense to find a younger player with some possible upside to play this role?