Pro Sports

Jets sign defensive end Franklin-Myers to contract extension

Posted October 08, 2021 7:00 am

By KEN MAGUIRE

New York Jets' defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers is overcome with emotion as he speaks about signing his new contract during a press conference after an NFL practice session at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club near the town of Ware in south east England, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. The New York Jets are preparing for an NFL regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons in London on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The Associated Press

WARE, England (AP) - The New York Jets rewarded defensive end John Franklin-Myers with a four-year contract extension. He just wishes his young son was there to share the big news with him.

Franklin-Myers immediately wanted to speak to 2-year-old Kyler after signing the deal that will keep him with the Jets through the 2025 season.

'œHe didn't get a chance to be there, but I just wanted to talk to him,'ť Franklin-Myers said at a press conference Friday at the team hotel outside London.

Franklin-Myers, who was cut by the Los Angeles Rams before the 2019 season, then paused, bowed his head and shed some tears.

'œI play football for him,'ť the 25-year-old Franklin-Myers said, pausing again. 'œI just wanted to give him every opportunity.'ť

The team announced the signing Friday ahead of their game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. A person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that the contract is worth up to $55 million. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team didn't announce terms.

Franklin-Myers said he's looking forward to 'œfour more years" with the Jets.

Earlier in his comments, he said there was no thought given to becoming a free agent after the season. He was in the final year of his rookie contract, and the Jets will now keep him as an important piece of their defensive line.

'œWith this coaching staff and the guys that they give me an opportunity to play with, I think I won't be in a better position anywhere,'ť he said. 'œThe defense - it suits me perfectly playing inside and outside. So there was no question once we got the numbers right, and mutual interest there, there was no question about it.'ť

After being cast off by the Rams, Franklin-Myers said he's indebted to the Jets.

'œThe Jets gave me an opportunity and I'm eternally grateful for that, and I owe them,'ť he said.

Jets coach Robert Saleh described Franklin-Myers as 'œa stud.'ť

'œHe hasn't even scratched the surface of where we think he can go within the system,'ť Saleh said of Franklin-Myers, whom he likened to San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead.

He has already tied his single-season high with three sacks in the Jets' first four games, ranking second to only Quinnen Williams with 3 1/2. Franklin-Myers also has six quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

'œHe's absolutely dominant at times,'ť Saleh said, citing Franklin-Myers' tackle of Titans running back Derrick Henry for a 4-yard loss on Tennessee's first offensive play in overtime of the Jets' 27-24 win last Sunday.

'œHe has done nothing but work, work, work,'ť Saleh added. "He's been a tremendous leader. Those are the guys we want to pay. JFM is deserving of it and we couldn't be happier to have it done."

Franklin-Myers was drafted in the fourth round by the Rams in 2018 out of Stephen F. Austin. He played in every game as a rookie and got a strip-sack of New England's Tom Brady in the Super Bowl that season.

But Franklin-Myers was waived during the Rams' final roster cuts the next summer. The Jets claimed him off waivers, and he spent most of the 2019 season on injured reserve.

He broke through last season with New York as a versatile part of the defensive line, and showing a consistent ability to put pressure on the quarterback.

'œHe deserves it, 1,000 percent,'ť Williams said of Franklin-Myers. 'œGreat guy, man. Great person on the field and off the field. Got a work ethic like no other.'ť

___

AP Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr. contributed from Florham Park, N.J.

___

More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

New York Jets' defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers speaks during a press conference after an NFL practice session at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club near the town of Ware in south east England, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. The New York Jets are preparing for an NFL regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons in London on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The Associated Press

New York Jets' Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, 91, takes part in an NFL practice session at Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel and Country Club near the town of Ware in south east England, Friday, Oct. 8, 2021. The New York Jets are preparing for an NFL regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons in London on Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, New York Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers (91) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets and Franklin-Myers agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the extension, which was first reported by the New York Daily News. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin, File) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Football NFL NHL Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.