2012 NFL Free Agents: New York Jets to Bring Back WR Braylon Edwards?

Last offseason, the New York Jets switched the name plate on their No. 17 jersey from "Edwards" to "Burress."

Less than 12 months later, they might be making the switch back.

According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, the Jets are interested in bringing receiver Braylon Edwards back to the team. Edwards signed with the San Francisco 49ers four days after the Jets inked Burress to a one-year deal last summer.

The Jets' ability to re-sign Plaxico Burress this offseason is now looking less and less likely.

Burress has expressed an interest in playing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012, which may signal the end of his time in New York. If he's playing in Philadelphia or some other NFL city next season, the Jets will need to find a way to replace the 612 yards and eight touchdowns Burress provided in 2011.  

Edwards seems like a natural fit to fill that role.

He worked well with quarterback Mark Sanchez over two years and provided the Jets with a deep option that they currently lack on the roster. A member of the Jets from 2009-10, Edwards caught 88 passes for 1,445 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 2010, he also hauled in the sixth-most receptions over 40 yards (five), according to Mehta.

After the Jets gave Santonio Holmes big money last offseason and brought Burress in to replace Edwards, the 29-year-old receiver was allowed to walk in free agency. He signed a one-year deal with the 49ers in August of last year.  

However, Edwards' 2011 season was marred with injury while in San Francisco. He suffered through shoulder and knee problems for the majority of the year. The veteran receiver eventually left the team before the playoffs. He finished the 2011 season with just 15 catches for 181 yards in nine games. 

Edwards' release during last year means that he is already a free agent and won't have to wait until March 13—the start of free agency—to sign with another team. That being said, the Jets will likely want to see where they stand with Burress once free agency begins.

Bringing Edwards back if or when Burress does leave seems to make a lot of sense for both parties.

In the end, the ducks look lined up for this reunion.