Bruce Carter to Jets: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Linebacker Bruce Carter officially signed with the New York Jets on Monday.  

The team announced the news on Twitter:

Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday first reported the deal on Saturday, and Connor Hughes of USA Today reported that the deal was worth close to the veteran minimum.

Middle linebacker is a position with question marks for the Jets, and the other middle linebacker spot opposite David Harris is ripe for the taking. Carter will step in and have a chance to earn a starting gig, though he'll battle with Erin Henderson for regular playing time. 

Carter, 28, had a disappointing season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, registering just 47 tackles and two sacks. He signed a four-year, $17 million contract last offseason and was expected to be the team's starting middle linebacker but lost the job to rookie Kwon Alexander.

To Carter's credit, Alexander was very good for the Bucs in his rookie season, finishing with 93 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 12 games.

With Alexander firmly entrenched at middle linebacker and only the first year of Carter's deal guaranteed, cutting ties with the veteran was an easy decision for Tampa Bay.

Carter has never been a tackling machine—his career high in tackles came in 2013 with the Dallas Cowboys, when he accumulated 96—but he's solid in coverage and led the NFL among linebackers in interceptions with five in 2014.

Carter will offer the Jets a veteran presence and, at the very least, solid depth at the linebacker position. The 2015 season was a disappointment for Carter, but he should motivated to prove he's still a starting-caliber player.

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