Santonio Holmes was the Jets’ top priority all along.
They paid lip service to keeping Braylon Edwards. They are entertaining Nnamdi Asomugha as a big ticket luxury happen. But Holmes was the guy the Jets had to keep and they managed to do so.
PFT’s Mike Florio reports via a league source that the Jets and Holmes have agreed on a five-year deal.
Holmes’ impact goes beyond the statistics. He’s the one player on the Jets offense that opposing defenses have to game plan against. During Hard Knocks last year, Jets coaches drooled about Holmes, calling him the best player on the team’s offense.
“Congrats to Santonio. Great player and good friend!” Edwards wrote via Twitter.
The Redskins reportedly had Holmes atop their wish list as well, so they may have to look elsewhere at wide receiver. Perhaps Edwards will be a fit there.
UPDATE: Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News hears Holmes will get $24 million guaranteed. Florio confirmed that number.