The New York Jets sign a Packers quarterback… ex-Green Bay backup Tim Boyle joins Gang Green

The New York Jets signed former Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson on Thursday to help address one of the team’s greatest needs.

Jefferson had a career-high 5 1/2 sacks in 17 games last season, including three starts. His signing helps offset the losses of Sheldon Rankins and Nathan Shepherd, both of whom signed on free service elsewhere. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

The Jets also signed quarterback Tim Boyle to a one-year contract as a backup with experience playing in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s system.

The 30-year-old Jefferson joins All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers, Solomon Thomas, Carl Lawson, Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons and Bryce Huff on the Jets’ D line as they put a weather force this season.

After losing Rankins and Shepherd, the Jets wanted to add an experienced defensive lineman and were interested in Calais Campbell and Fletcher Cox before signing elsewhere.

The Jets also closed an important hole in their defensive line by signing Quinton Jefferson

Jefferson was a Seattle fifth-round draft pick from Maryland in 2016 and has had three stints with the Seahawks in five seasons, including last year. He also played with the Los Angeles Rams (2017), Buffalo (2020) and Las Vegas (2021).

Jefferson has 20 1/2 sacks in 89 games, including 48 starts, during his seven NFL seasons. He also has 64 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, three fumbles to recover and 24 tackles for loss.

Boyle served three seasons as a backup in Green Bay to Aaron Rodgers, who said last month his intention is to play for the Jets this season. The Packers and Jets have been in negotiations for several weeks to finalize a trade that would send Rodgers to New York as the team’s starting quarterback.

In the meantime, Boyle joins a Jets quarterbacks room that includes Zach Wilson, who was the starter for the past two seasons, and Chris Streveler, who was on the practice squad for most of last year. Boyle will also be reunited with former Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard, who signed a four-year contract with the Jets last month.

The 28-year-old Boyle split with Detroit and Chicago last season, taking 13 snaps in one game with the Bears, going 2-of-8 for 33 yards and two interceptions.

He was signed as an undrafted free agent from Eastern Kentucky in 2018 and played in 11 games, completing three of four passes for 15 yards with the Packers over three seasons as one of Rodgers’ backups.

Boyle (8) previously worked as a backup under Jets-linked superstar Aaron Rodgers (12)

Hackett worked alongside Boyle as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Boyle signed as a free agent with the Lions in 2021, starting three games in place of an injured Jared Goff. He was signed by Chicago to Detroit’s practice squad last November.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Boyle began his college career at the University of Connecticut before moving to Eastern Kentucky after three seasons.

He has thrown for 574 yards and three touchdowns with eight interceptions in 17 career NFL games, including three starts with Detroit.