C Kevin Mawae, 1998
Regular old Kevin Mawae became Kevin Mawae, Hall of Famer, when he signed with New York after four seasons in Seattle. He didn’t miss a single game during his first seven seasons with the Jets, making six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections. Any best-ever list for the Jets has to have him in elite company.
LB Bart Scott, 2009
Sal Paolantonio helped immortalize Scott, but he meant much more to the Jets than a rambunctious on-field interview. After following Rex Ryan from Baltimore in 2009, Scott served as the backbone of the Jets’ great defenses of the late ‘00s.
QB Vinny Testaverde, 1998
Testaverde was already three teams, 11 seasons and 175 touchdown passes in when he joined the Jets, but he had more to give. His ‘98 season in particular, where he led New York to the AFC Championship Game, was probably the best of his CVS receipt-long career. In 13 starts, he went 12-1, threw for 29 scores, only seven interceptions, and had a 101.6 passer rating.
LB Calvin Pace, 2008
Only four Jets have more sacks than Pace, who collected 46 in his eight years with the Jets. He also was exceptionally durable after leaving Arizona for New York, starting in 116 (and playing in 120) of a possible 128 games.
G James Carpenter, 2015
Carpenter left Seattle for New York after four years and spent the next four as one of the most reliable players on the Jets. He didn’t miss a game in his first three New York seasons before missing the last six of his final season because of a shoulder injury.
T Jumbo Elliott, 1996
Elliott earned his keep during his first eight years with the Giants, but enjoyed an extended prime and twilight in his six ensuing years with the Jets. He never played less than 10 games in a season with his second team, even (bobbling, but) catching the game-tying touchdown pass during the Monday Night Miracle in 2000, when New York scored 30 points in the fourth quarter to eventually beat Miami in overtime.
T Damien Woody, 2008
Woody spent his fruitful final three seasons with the Jets after nine with the Patriots and Lions, playing an important role on the line for the Jets’ two consecutive AFC title game appearances.
G Alan Faneca, 2008
Faneca made his six All-Pro teams as a Steeler, but the two years he spent with the Jets from 2008-09 were memorable for New York football fans. He made two Pro Bowls and started all 32 games in the Jets portion of his Hall of Fame career.
