New York Jets Sign Santonio Holmes to Five Year Deal

NFL News: The New York Jets made it clear they wanted to keep their star wide receiver, Santonio Holmes, and they got their guy by signing him to a 5-year contract worth $50 million dollars, $24 million of that being guaranteed.

The Super Bowl MVP was widely regarded as the top wide receiver (and one of the top overall targets) during the free agency frenzy that's currently consuming the NFL. Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan knew how important it was to keep Holmes.

While playing for other teams, he had a history of burning the Jets, which made them want to keep him, even if it meant missing out on high-profile cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha or re-signing Antonio Cromartie. The Jets brass knew that keeping him, meant it also stopped him from hurting them.

It was a win win for the franchise.

And it was also an important win because the team made it clear that this was their top priority. If they missed out on Holmes, then other dominos might not fall their way. It still remains to be seen if they have enough cap room to make another huge deal on the other side of the ball. If they were also able to pull off a deal for Asomugha, the Jets would immediately become the team to beat in the AFC.

The deal won't be official for a few more days because teams can't officially sign players to contracts until Friday, but sources close to the Jets say this deal is done.