Jets bring back explosive return man

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kene Nwangwu #34 of the New York Jets in action against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on December 28, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 42-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Jets have agreed to terms with running back and return man Kene Nwangwu on a one year contract to keep him in green and white.

Return ace Kene Nwangwu is returning to the Jets on a one-year, $2M deal with $1M fully guaranteed and max value of $3M, per source.

Nwangwu has five kick-return touchdowns since entering the league in 2022. pic.twitter.com/KARpdEV0nU

- Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 14, 2026

Nwangwu has been with the Jets since 2024 when he signed on the team's practice squad. Since a December 2024 call up to the active roster, he has been electric with a 36.2 yard average and 2 touchdowns on kickoff returns across 14 games. The only real question mark with Nwangwu has been durability as he has suffered multiple injuries that have formed him to miss time in that stretch. At the end of the day, even if he misses time having Nwangwu for any number of games is better than having him no games.

Given his explosiveness, I was surprised that the Jets didn't do more to work him into the offense when healthy last year. Perhaps the new offensive coaching staff will make more of an effort to do so.