Jets re-sign Calvin Pace to two-year, $5 million deal

The Jets brought back Calvin Pace (97) after he finished 2013 with a career-high 10 sacks. (Julio Cortez/AP) The New York Jets have been focused on improving

The Jets brought back Calvin Pace (97) after he finished 2013 with a career-high 10 sacks. (Julio Cortez/AP)

The New York Jets have been focused on improving their weapons on offense to help young quarterback Geno Smith find an easier path to success, but they recently made an under the radar signing during the free agency period that should help out on the defensive side of the ball.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Jets have re-signed outside linebacker Calvin Pace to a two-year deal worth $5 million.

Pace has spent the last few seasons with the Jets and has proven to be a quality starter and pass rusher, who is reliable and durable. He hasn't missed a start since the 2010 season.

Last year, Pace returned to his top form with a career-high 10-sack season that also included 53 tackles and two forced fumbles.

It was a reasonable deal for both sides, but the signing doesn't mean the Jets will now ignore outside linebacker in the draft. There are plenty of ways that the Jets could go in the first-round of this year's draft -- they may draft an offensive weapon like Eric Ebron or Marqise Lee or a play maker on the defensive side of the ball -- so it will be interesting to see what direction the team goes.

Eric Decker