The Jets’ week of significant signings finally reached Mason Taylor.
After inking both Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner to four-year extensions, the Jets signed their second-round pick Taylor to a four-year, $10.5 million contract that is more than 91 percent guaranteed, The Post confirmed.
By getting the deal done Friday, it assures that the projected starting tight end will report to camp alongside other rookies Saturday and be ready to go when the Jets practice for the first time in training camp on Wednesday.
The Jets signed second-round pick Mason Taylor. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
The logjam of 30 unsigned second-round picks across the NFL – all of whom were fighting for more guaranteed money in the fourth year of their contracts – began to break up with a couple signings Thursday.
Fully guaranteed four-year rookie contracts had been reserved for just first-round picks until the first two picks of the 2025 second round received those rare deals.
Taylor will get 60 percent of his fourth-year salary guaranteed, which is a 55 percent increase over what the corresponding No. 42 pick in the 2024 draft (Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter) received, according to NFL Network.
Taylor’s contract is estimated to be worth $3.3 million in 2028 by spotrac.com.
Mason Taylor during Jets rookie mini-camp. AP
The thought across the NFL had been that more second-round picks might hold out to see if No. 40 pick Tyler Shough gets a fully guaranteed contract from the Saints because he is projected to be their starting quarterback.
The Jets had more to lose with a second-round holdout than other teams who drafted rotational backups because Taylor is the favorite to start over Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Zach Kuntz at tight end.
Taylor, the son of Hall of Famer and former Jets-killer-turned Jets pass-rusher Jason Taylor, made 129 catches for 1,308 yards and six touchdowns over his three-year career at LSU.
But he impressed Jets head coach Aaron Glenn during spring workouts with his blocking technique and willingness.
The Jets have signed their entire seven-player draft class.