Jeremy Kerley Back in New York on 1 Year Deal

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, wide receiver Jeremy Kerley will be returning to the Jets on a one-year deal after spending last season in Santa Clara.

With the signing of Kerley and the trade for Jermaine Kearse, the Jets have added their two most experienced and two of their top three receivers within ten days of the season opener.

With 2892 career receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, the 28-year old (29 in November) Kerley is the most experienced receiver on the team. Playing in San Francisco last season, Kerley saw a career high 115 targets in 16 games, catching 64 (56%) of them for 667 yards (10.4 per reception) and 3 touchdowns.

The 5-9 Kerley likely is the team’s Week 1 starter in the slot with Robby Anderson and Kearse outside. According to PFF, Kerley led all players in targets out of the slot last season. The Jets likely see him as a veteran presence or stopgap of sorts ahead of ArDarius Stewart, possibly looking to help ease his transition.

Kerley could also be a factor in the return game. The Jets had waiver pickup Kalif Raymond listed as their kick and punt returner on their latest depth chart, but Kerley brings experience to the position they don’t have. While notorious for his fair catches, Kerley does have 155 career punt returns for a 9.1 average, a solid number.