QB Kellen Clemens signed a 1-year deal with the Jets on Tuesday, taking a pay cut to stay on with the team.
Kellen Clemens will take a pay cut to stay on as the Jets’ third-string QB, signing a one-year deal with the team on Tuesday.
According to Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger, Clemens’ deal ended up being less than the tender he was offered at the beginning of the year. The Jets benefit greatly from Clemens’ decision to take a cut, as he has considerable skills and experience, but the previous $1.1 million he had due to him this season was too hefty a price to pay someone so far down the depth chart.
The former Standford man also told Vrentas that two other NFL teams were seriously interested in his services, and four teams total, but “you dance with the girl you came with.” There was speculation last week that the Arizona Cardinals, who are knee-deep in QB issues, were one of the team’s seriously interested in Clemens.
The Jets already tried to trade Clemens with no avail during this year’s NFL Draft and, reportedly, were shopping him around again in August after veteran Mark Brunell locked up the team’s back-up spot. Clemens has been incredibly efficient this preseason, completing 11 of 16 passes for 116 yards in 2 games.
With his tenuous status cleared, it’s likely Clemens will see a considerable about of time in the Jets’ final preseason game in Philadelphia on Thursday.