Leki Fotu is set to join the New York Jets, as reported by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. The Jets are finalizing a one-year contract with the former Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the deal is worth $2.5 million initially, with the potential to increase to $4 million with incentives and bonuses.
With Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, and Al Woods all becoming free agents, the Jets have been actively seeking reinforcements at the defensive tackle position. Earlier, they reached an agreement with former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, and now they’re adding another former NFC West player in Fotu.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cardinals, Leki Fotu had been with the Arizona team throughout his career until now. During his tenure, he started in 21 out of 56 games but consistently saw action in around 40% of the defensive snaps.
In the 2023 season, Fotu started nine out of 11 games, recording 28 tackles and achieving a career-best 2.5 sacks.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Fotu boasted a run-stop percentage of 6.7% last season, a figure that ranked 22nd among 117 defensive tackles. This statistic would have placed him second on the Jets, just behind Quinnen Williams, who remains the team’s sole returning player at the position.
