Jets Country

Jets Bolster Defensive Line With Another Familiar Face

The New York Jets signed former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ronald Blair, adding a player coach Robert Saleh is familiar with to a stacked defensive line

Max Goodman

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets' defensive line has improved significantly this offseason, poised to be one of the best units in the National Football League. 

That group of talented defenders just got even better.

New York signed former 49ers defensive end Ronald Blair, the team confirmed Tuesday morning.

Not only is it a move to bring in another veteran to bolster Gang Green's pass rush, but it's a familiar face that blossomed under Robert Saleh in San Francisco. 

Blair didn't play at all in 2020 due to an ACL tear, but established a reputation for his abilities on the defensive line over his first four seasons in the league. Out of Appalachian State, the former fifth-rounder accumulated a total of 13.5 sacks in a 49ers uniform from 2016 to 2019. 

Even after missing all of last season, Blair is only three years removed from his best campaign in the NFL. Over 16 games in 2018, Blair set a career-high with 5.5 sacks, 36 tackles (10 for loss) and 14 quarterback hits. 

Only time will tell what kind of player the Jets get with Blair in 2021, but if any coach can bring the best out of a player on that side of the ball, it's Saleh. The head coach served as Blair's defensive coordinator for virtually the entirety of the defensive end's stint in San Francisco. 

Earlier this offseason, Saleh articulated just how pleased he is with the additions this organization has made on the defensive line. New York signed Carl Lawson, Sheldon Rankins and Vinny Curry in free agency, boosting a unit that already includes Quinnen Williams, Folorunso Fatukasi, John Franklin-Myers and more. 

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Max Goodman
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.

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