Jets Sign Veteran Nose Tackle With Special Connection to Coach

David Onyemata joins New York Jets on 1-year, $10.5M deal after playing under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in New Orleans

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The New York Jets have signed veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata to a one-year, $10.5 million contract with $9.65 million guaranteed. Onyemata previously played under Jets defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn when Glenn was the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2016-2020. Onyemata, 33, is coming off a strong 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons where he was one of the top-graded interior defenders in the NFL.

Why it matters

The Jets are looking to bolster their defensive line after finishing 25th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game last season. Onyemata provides them with a proven veteran presence who can stuff the run and free up other players to make plays. His prior relationship with Glenn should also help him quickly acclimate to the Jets' defensive scheme.

The details

Onyemata was a 4th round draft pick by the Saints in 2016 out of the University of Manitoba. He spent his first 5 NFL seasons in New Orleans, developing a close working relationship with then-defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn. After Glenn left for the Jets in 2021, Onyemata signed with the Falcons as a free agent. In 2025, he tied for 7th among defensive tackles in run stops for unsuccessful plays and finished tied for 8th in both run tackles and run stuffs for loss or no gain.

  • Onyemata and Glenn crossed paths with the Saints from 2016-2020.
  • After the Jets hosted the Falcons in Week 13 of the 2025 season, Onyemata sought out Glenn on the field to thank him for mentoring him early in his career.
  • Onyemata has now signed a 1-year, $10.5 million contract with the Jets to reunite with Glenn in 2026.

The players

David Onyemata

A 33-year-old defensive tackle who spent the first 5 years of his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints before signing with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 2021.

Aaron Glenn

The defensive coordinator for the New York Jets, who previously served as the defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints from 2016-2020 when Onyemata was on the team.

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What they’re saying

“I was gonna tell you, 10 years ago, when I used to be in that meeting room early, and you used to talk to me, man, that changed my [expletive] life, bruh. It changed my life and I appreciate you for that.”

— David Onyemata (Inside the NFL)

What’s next

The Jets will look to integrate Onyemata into their defensive line rotation and scheme as they aim to improve their run defense in 2026.

The takeaway

The Jets' signing of veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata represents a savvy move to bolster their defensive front, with the added benefit of reuniting him with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who played a key role in Onyemata's development early in his career. This connection should help Onyemata quickly adapt to the Jets' system and provide a stabilizing presence in the middle of their defense.