By Mummy Grace 
Jets Could Target Lions’ Levi Onwuzurike in Free Agency
When a new head coach takes over an NFL team, it’s common to see familiar faces from their previous stops follow them. That could be the case for Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report believes Detroit Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike should be at the top of Glenn’s free agent wish list as he looks to build the Jets’ defense.
“Onwuzurike, a 2021 draft pick, has seen it all in Detroit—from a three-win season as a rookie to a complete turnaround,” Knox wrote. “After missing the 2022 season due to a back injury, he bounced back in 2023 with 28 tackles, a forced fumble, and 13 quarterback hits.”
Knox added that even without Glenn as head coach, Onwuzurike would be a strong fit for the Jets. “New York’s defensive line was good but not dominant last season. With key players like Haason Reddick, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, and Leki Fotu possibly leaving in free agency, adding Onwuzurike makes sense,” he said. “At 26, he could be a long-term partner for Quinnen Williams on the defensive interior, helping Glenn establish his system and a winning culture the Jets have lacked for over a decade.”
Free Agency Projection and Potential Fit
Onwuzurike, the No. 41 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has played in 42 games with 10 starts over his four-year career. His stat line includes 3.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, 68 total tackles, and four tackles for loss.
While his raw numbers don’t jump off the page, his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. According to Pro Football Focus, Onwuzurike had a 12.5% pass-rush win rate in 2024, ranking him among the top 15 interior defensive linemen in the league. PFF lists him as the No. 40 overall free agent in 2025 and the third-best available defensive tackle.
His projected contract is a two-year deal worth $16.5 million, with $10 million guaranteed. That would place his $8.25 million annual salary 30th among the highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
A Crucial Addition for the Jets in 2025
One of Glenn’s biggest tasks in New York will be finding a strong defensive tackle to pair with Quinnen Williams.
The Jets’ defensive struggles last season stemmed largely from their interior line play. Williams was dominant, but the supporting cast failed to provide consistent help.
NFL Media’s Kevin Patra highlighted this issue, stating, “New York desperately needs a running mate for Williams. After trading away John Franklin-Myers for essentially nothing last year, they left the interior line weak. With Kinlaw and Thomas set to hit free agency, it’s time to give Williams a true difference-maker.”