The New York Jets have added Troy Reeder to their practice squad, a move that gives them a veteran inside linebacker with a realistic chance of working his way onto the active roster. With minimal depth behind Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood, Reeder arrives as a low-risk addition who could become more important than the initial signing suggests.
Reeder reached the Jets after failing to crack the Detroit Lions' 53-man unit, which left him available on the open market. For New York, that creates an opportunity to bring in an experienced defender who has spent seven seasons in the NFL and has played in a range of environments, even if the most recent reviews of his game have not always been positive.
Why Reeder fits the Jets' current need
The appeal is obvious enough. The Jets are not adding Reeder because he is expected to walk straight into a starring role. They are adding him because depth matters, and because injuries or rotation changes can quickly make a practice-squad signing relevant.
That is where Reeder's background becomes useful. He joined the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware in 2019, spent six seasons with the Rams, and also had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. Those are the details that make him a familiar type of player for a coaching staff trying to protect itself against the demands of a long season.
There is also a recent form question attached to him. Reeder posted a 45.7 PFF grade in 2023 and a 57.9 mark in 2024, so the profile is not built around dominant production. Still, a practice-squad signing is about possibility as much as proven ceiling, and the Jets clearly see a route for him to contribute if the depth chart thins out.
What comes next for the veteran linebacker?
At 37 years old, Reeder is no longer being evaluated as a long-term piece. The question is whether he can provide dependable insurance behind the starters and make himself useful quickly enough to earn a promotion.
That is why this signing matters. The Jets have not committed to more than a practice-squad role for now, but the combination of limited depth and Reeder's experience means he could be one of those players who moves onto the active roster sooner rather than later.
