Having lost all faith in QB Kellen Clemens' ability to be a solid backup to QB Mark Sanchez, the New York Jets signed QB Mark Brunell, a 39-year veteran who spent his best years with the Jaguars and the Redskins. Last two seasons Brunell served as Drew Brees' backup with the Saints where he won the Super Bowl last year.
The deal is believed to be for 2 years and worth around $2M. Clemens is still on the roster but it's quite doubtful that he will still be there on the opening day. There had been talk of the Jets’ interest in Brunell for weeks, but the team’s free-agent signings were restricted until the “Final Eight Plan” lifted on Saturday. Brunell worked out with the team Wednesday morning before inking his deal.
Brunell was in the news recently, but for the wrong reason. He filed for bankruptcy last month in Jacksonville, claiming about $20M in debt. He still owns a $3M house in Ponte Vedra, Fla.
He has thrown for 31,928 yards and 182 touchdowns in 18 NFL seasons. Brunell was the 1997 Pro Bowl MVP, and shares the NFL record for most consecutive completions in a single game with 22, set in 2006 with Washington.