Marcus Maye is leaving the Jets for the Saints.
The free agent safety agreed to a three-year, $28.5 million deal with New Orleans on Tuesday night, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The pact includes $15 million guaranteed.
The Jets had not ruled out re-signing Maye as of Tuesday afternoon, per The Athletic’s Connor Hughes, but the Saints were willing to pay a price beyond what New York was willing to touch.
Maye, drafted by the Jets in the second round in 2017, is coming off a season-ending Achilles tear. He suffered the injury in Week 9. The 29-year-old finished his fifth NFL season with 46 tackles, four TFL, two defended passes and one sack.
Maye also has a Florida DUI arrest from February 2021 hanging over his head. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 1. That incident could also lead to league discipline.
The Jets have already retained a few safeties, re-signing Lamarcus Joyner and Will Parks and exercising Elijah Riley’s exclusive rights option. The Jets also agreed to terms with Jordan Whitehead on Tuesday. The former Buc is expected to start for Gang Green.