Jets Secure Key Addition: Andre Cisco Joins on $10M Deal
The New York Jets have addressed a key need at safety.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the team has signed former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Andre Cisco to a one-year, $10 million contract.
The 24-year-old recently completed his rookie contract with the Jaguars, playing in 63 games and starting 47 over four seasons.
The former Syracuse standout has amassed an impressive stat line, including eight interceptions, one pick-six, 24 pass deflections, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 229 total tackles.
Cisco Brings Elite Instincts and Ball Skills to the Jets Secondary
Cisco has a natural instinct for finding the football, making impactful plays both in the NFL and during his college career.
During his three seasons at Syracuse, he recorded 13 interceptions—12 of which came in his first two years.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein characterized Cisco as “fearless” coming out of college, praising his aggressive playstyle.
“Attacks crossing routes like a heat-seeking missile … Urgent demeanor to attack the line of scrimmage,” Zierlein noted.
Cisco thrives on an attacking, high-energy approach, playing with relentless aggression. However, that same intensity can sometimes lead to mistakes.
Cisco is coming off his toughest season as a pro, which explains the structure of his one-year, $10 million contract. Pro Football Focus initially projected him to secure a three-year, $27 million deal, but his struggles in 2023-24 altered his market.
If he regains his previous form, Cisco could position himself for a significant payday in 2026.
“Cisco had the profile of an ascending young playmaker with a knack for flipping the field after posting seven interceptions over the 2023-24 seasons,” PFF noted. “However, his contract year was a bit of a mess as the Jacksonville Jaguars regressed. He was seemingly benched in Weeks 13 and 14, rotating in after previously playing nearly every snap, and recorded career-low grades across the board. That said, we often see how a difficult situation can impact talented players, so perhaps a change of scenery will help get Cisco’s career back on track.”
The Jets Just Got Exactly What the Doctor Ordered
The Jets had a tough time generating turnovers last season, finishing with just seven interceptions— the fourth-lowest total in the NFL, according to ESPN.
A playmaking defense can be a game-changer for an offense. Takeaways create shorter fields, setting up easier scoring opportunities and adding much-needed balance to the team.
Cisco isn’t a flawless player—if he were, he would have landed a much bigger contract than a one-year, $10 million deal. However, his signing is a move in the right direction for the Jets.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, a former NFL cornerback with 15 years of experience, has a keen eye for evaluating talent in the secondary. When he selects a free agent at a position he played or worked closely with, his judgment deserves trust until proven otherwise.
With Cisco in place, the Jets have secured one safety spot—now, they just need to fill the other.
