The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed New York Jets TE Kyle
Brady to an offer sheet and today submitted it to the NFL. The Jets
have until 12:00 midnight next Wednesday to match the offer sheet
for Brady, who is a "transition player" in this year's free agency.
Brady will become a Jaguar if the Jets decline to match the offer
sheet. Length and terms of the offer sheet are not disclosed.
Brady, 27, was a first-round draft choice of the Jets in 1995, the
ninth choice overall. In four seasons, he started 59 of 63 games
played (missing only one), and he caught 93 passes for 933 yards
(10.3-yard average) and 10 touchdowns. In 1998, Brady set career
highs with 30 catches for 315 yards and five TDs.
At 6-6, 268 pounds, Brady is considered one of the best blocking
tight ends in the NFL. He was a consensus All-American and
two-time All-Big 10 selection at Penn State, helping lead the Nittany
Lions to their first-ever Rose Bowl victory in 1994. In four years at
Penn State, Brady had 76 receptions for 940 yards and nine
touchdowns.
As a transition player, Brady has already received an offer from the
Jets at the average of the top 10 tight ends' salaries of 1998, giving
that team a first-refusal right to match an offer sheet. No draft
choice compensation would be required if Brady becomes a Jaguar.
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