Former Jets Linebacker Neville Hewitt Signs With Texans

Former New York Jets linebacker Neville Hewitt has signed a one year deal with the Houston Texas in free agency. Hewitt led the Jets in tackles last season

Max Goodman | May 7, 2021

Former New York Jets linebacker Neville Hewitt has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Houston Texans, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Hewitt has been with the Jets since 2018, compiling 248 tackles and 6.5 sacks over 44 games.

The 28-year-old had the best season of his career in 2020, setting career highs with 134 tackles (to lead the team) and one forced fumble, starting all 16 games for New York.

Before joining the Jets, Hewitt was a member of the Dolphins organization for the first three years of his career after signing in Miami as an undrafted free agent out of Marshall.

Should the Jets Re-Sign Neville Hewitt?

Signing with Houston, Hewitt will link back up with ex-Jets linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who also signed with the Texans in free agency. Jenkins was the Jets' longest tenured played before walking in free agency, donning green and white in each of the last five seasons.

Hewitt certainly outperformed the one-year contract that he signed entering the 2020 season. The new coaching staff elected to address their defense this offseason with external options, though. New York signed linebacker Jarrad Davis in free agency before drafting a handful of versatile defenders—namely Jermain Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen—that project to play the linebacker position with Gang Green.

A crunch in cap space, along with a change in defensive schemes, also likely contributed to the decision not to re-sign Hewitt. There's a chance the Jets make another move or two in free agency, possibly addressing their secondary.

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Published May 7, 2021

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.