When a new head coach is appointed in the NFL, certain players from their previous team frequently accompany them.
Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report anticipates that will happen with Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets.
Knox stated that Detroit Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike “ought to be” at the top of Glenn’s free agent wish list for the Jets.
Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, selected in 2021, witnessed each aspect of Detroit’s transformation. He fought through a three-win season as a newcomer and endured a back injury that sidelined him for the entire 2022 season. “He was truly a game-changer this past season, ending with 28 tackles, a forced fumble, and 13 quarterback hits,” Knox stated.
Onwuzurike would be a great match for the Jets, even if Glenn was not the head coach. Their defensive line was better than excellent last season, and they might lose Haason Reddick, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, and Leki Fotu to free agency. With Glenn [managing] New York’s latest rebuild, Onwuzurike becomes even more logical,” Knox stated in an article for B/R. The 26-year-old possesses the potential to be a foundational piece alongside Quinnen Williams in New York’s defensive line. He might assist Glenn in establishing his defense and instilling the winning culture the Jets have lacked for more than ten years.
Projected Free Agent Contract, Fit With the Jets
Onwuzurike, 26, joined the league as the 41st overall selection in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Over his four-year career, the seasoned defensive tackle has participated in 42 games and has recorded 10 starts.
Onwuzurike records 3.5 sacks, 16 hits on the quarterback, 68 total tackles, and four tackles for loss. Although the basic pass rush statistics may not impress you, the former Washington player has caught the attention of the analytical community.
“The ex-second-round selection from Washington is the dynamic three-technique interior pass-rusher that every franchise desires, with his 12.5% pass-rush win rate in 2024 standing as a top-15 figure at the position,” as stated by Pro Football Focus.
PFF places him as the 40th best overall free agent in 2025 and ranks him as the third-best interior defensive lineman likely to be on the market.
Onwuzurike is anticipated to finalize a two-year contract worth $16.5 million, with $10 million guaranteed, according to PFF. That annual salary of $8.25 million would rank him at No. 30 among the highest-paid interior defensive linemen in the NFL, according to Over The Cap.
Onwuzurike is slated to become an unrestricted free agent as his rookie contract is about to end.
A Major Focus for the Green and White in 2025
A primary objective for Glenn must be locating a Robin to accompany Quinnen Williams’ Batman.
The recent Jets season was ruined due to inadequate performance on the defensive line, particularly at defensive tackle. The whole season was dominated by Williams and then a group of others.
“A partner for the standout defensive lineman is long overdue — particularly after the Jets traded John Franklin-Myers for a bag of Werther’s Original last season.” Gang Green has consistently thrown resources at the periphery, allowing Q and any leftover pieces to handle the interior. As Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas are set to enter free agency, it’s crucial to find Williams a game-changing partner who can capitalize on the one-on-one opportunities the big man creates,” stated Kevin Patra from the NFL Media Group. “The Jets defense faltered at times in 2024 mainly due to a lack of depth in the middle.”