Sione Pouha Signs 3-Year Deal with the New York Jets: What Does It Mean?

The New York Jets have agreed to terms on a three-year deal with nose tackle Sione Pouha, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

The move ensures that New York's key free agent will not hit the market when free agency begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

But obviously, the move is much more than that.

What It Means

It was unclear exactly why the Jets handed Mark Sanchez a three-year contract extension on Friday—besides needing to clear up cap space. 

The reason for re-signing Pouha, however, is much more clear: While Pouha may not be the best defensive player the Jets have on their roster, he has been the most consistent by a long shot. Although he has played just 53.5 percent of the team's total defensive snaps since 2009, he has always been effective, and even graded out as Pro Football Focus' top nose tackle in 2011.

There was hardly ever a doubt the deal would get done, as Rich Cimini of ESPN New York reported last week that the two sides were trying to hammer out a deal before the start of free agency.

Looks like they arrived 24 hours early for the flight.

It will be interesting to see what his deal looks like, as I speculated last week that he might be able to find a better deal with another team than the offer he would likely receive to stay with the Jets.

What's next?

Depending on how much money they handed Pouha, the Jets are looking at a couple of options: 1. Piecemeal free-agent signings to add depth to the roster, or 2. Reconstructing more deals to make space for a big splash.

The Jets still need an outside linebacker, a position they've been projected to target via the draft. There are options available in free agency, but the Jets would likely not be able to find a starter at the position without reconstructing another contract or two.

The team could also look to add a wide receiver, with a lack of big play threats in their offense.

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