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Ed Reed agrees to terms with Jets after clearing waivers

The Jets will sign the aging safety following his release from the Houston Texans earlier this week.

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ed Reed didn't stay on the open market for very long. Two days after he was released by the Houston Texans, the New York Jets announced they will sign the 35-year-old safety.

Reed, who played under Jets head coach Rex Ryan in Baltimore, was cut by the Texans on Tuesday and cleared waivers the following day.

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The nine-time Pro Bowler, who spent 11 seasons in Baltimore, was a major free agent grab for the Texans during the offseason. Reed saw his role diminish over the last several weeks, however, and had been replaced in the starting secondary by Shiloh Keo in Week 9. After playing in just 13 defensive snaps in Week 10, Houston opted to release him on Tuesday.

The Jets own the NFL’s top run defense, but rank 22nd against the pass and are allowing 251 yards per game through the air. They’re are hoping Reed can revive the ball-hawking skills that made him one of the greatest safeties in NFL history and bolster their struggling secondary.

SB Nation’s Jets blog, Gang Green Nation, wonders whether Reed will be able to contribute and if he’s worth the roster spot:

This doesn’t feel like a case where a change of scenery is needed. This doesn’t feel like the case of a guy not being what he used to be but still effective. It feels like a case where one of the key ingredients that made Reed a player is gone. Rex Ryan might be a brilliant defensive mind, but when 35-year-olds lose their athletic ability, it does not come back. Perhaps the Jets could hide Reed by giving him easier assignments, but they could just as easily do that with the players they have now.

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