Ex-Vikings Speed Demon Chooses the Jets
The New York Jets have featured extreme change this offseason, moving on from their general manager, head coach, and quarterback.
Ex-Vikings Speed Demon Chooses the Jets
General manager Darren Mougey took over at the top and hired Aaron Glenn from the Detroit Lions, while both decided that incumbent quarterback Aaron Rodgers would not fulfill QB1 duties in 2025. In fact, Rodgers hopped over to the Minnesota Vikings rumor mill for some galivanting and suspense.
But one ex-Vikings speedster will stick with the Jets this offseason — running back and kick returner Kene Nwangwu.
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero tweeted last Friday, “The Jets are re-signing RB/KR Kene Nwangwu to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million, per me and Ian Rapoport.”
So, it’s Year No. 2 in The Big Apple for Nwangwu.
Kene Nwangwu’s Impact on the Jets
With the Nwangwu addition, New York will employ these running backs in 2025, at least as of March 17th:
- Breece Hall
- Braelon Allen
- Isaiah Davis
- Kene Nwangwu
- Zach Evans
It’s a full house at running back for the Jets, even before the 2025 NFL Draft, which might feature roughly 30 halfbacks chosen by teams.
Here’s Nwangwu’s NFL resume since 2021:
- Minnesota Vikings (2021–2023)
- New Orleans Saints (2024)
- New York Jets (2024–present)
Nwangwu will vie for an RB3 job next season, along with the primary kick returner gig.
Interestingly, the Jets gave Nwangwu one crack — just one — at a kick return in 2024, and he promptly scored a touchdown. Speed kills.
JetsWire‘s Nick Wojton wrote about the signing last week, “Under new head coach Aaron Glenn, it’s likely that Nwangwu gets another look as a return man in 2025.”
Nwangwu Background
Minnesota cut ties with Nwangwu last August, and he promptly went to the New Orleans Saints, but soon after, he failed a physical in New Orleans, ending that relationship and tossing him on the free-agent market. He landed with the Jets soon after.
Nwangwu’s role with the Vikings was minimized last year when players and teams were allowed to take the football at the 25-yardline on kick-offs, no matter what, with a fair catch signal. Fast forward to 2024, and Nwangwu was the odd man out for Minnesota, even with revised kick-return rules. New York reaped the benefits of Minnesota’s roster cut to the tune of a kick return touchdown.
One of the fastest players in the NFL, Vikings loyalists longed for Nwangwu’s involvement in the team’s offense for the last three years because of his speed, but the wish was not granted. The Iowa State alumnus touched the ball 33 times on offense for 118 yards from scrimmage in his career, not exactly a productive resume for a player with three seasons in the books.
Minnesota discovered Nwangwu in the 4th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in three years. His kick return touchdown on Thanksgiving night versus the New England Patriots in 2022 was a game-saver for Minnesota. The Vikings forced no turnovers against Bill Belichick’s team, oddly couldn’t stop quarterback Mac Jones, leaving Nwangwu’s performance as the hinge that determined the game.
Vikings KR Prognosis
On the other hand, the Vikings have no clear kick returner scheduled for 2025.
Last year, Ty Chandler filled the job, but he could be a roster cut casualty this offseason or perhaps even be traded.
Minnesota signed cornerback Isaiah Rodgers last week, and he has experience with returning kicks. While returning kicks isn’t incredibly vital anymore, fans will have roster questions about the spot at training camp, especially if Chandler departs.
Jets’ Free Agency & Offseason to Date
New York has added several free agents within the last week, including Justin Fields (QB), Chukwuma Okorafor (OT), Josh Meyers (C), Brandon Stephens (CB), and Byron Cowart (iDL).
Notably, 2024 players like Davante Adams (WR, Los Angeles Rams), Haason Reddick (EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), D.J. Reed (CB, Detroit Lions), Javon Kinlaw (iDL, Washington Commanders), Morgan Moses (OT, New England Patriots), Aaron Rodgers (QB, Free Agency) have departed.
Nwangwu turned 27 last month.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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