Early Saturday, before the Jets' fourth training camp practice, the team announced the signings of QB Adrian Martinez and CB Kendall Sheffield. QB Ben Bryant and CB Nehemiah Shelton were released in corresponding moves.
Martinez most recently played with the Birmingham Stallons in the United Football League (UFL), earning MVP honors while passing for 1,749 yards and 15 TDs in addition to leading the league with 528 yards rushing. The Nebraska/Kansas State product, who went undrafted in 2023, initially signed a free agent deal with the Detroit Lions and spent last preseason with them. Martinez (6-2, 220) appeared in 49 college games from 2018-22 and hit on 63.6% of his passes for 9,752 yards with 51 TDs and 31 TDs.
Sheffield, a fourth-round pick of the Falcons (No. 111 overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft, appeared in 38 games (20 starts) for the Falcons from 2019-21 and registered 101 tackles, 6 PDs and 2 FF. Last season, Sheffield (5-10, 212) had short stints on the 49ers and Titans practice squads. The former Ohio State Buckeye joins a defensive unit that is led by coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, a defensive assistant and coordinator with Falcons in Sheffield's first two pro seasons.
Bryant, who played collegiately at Cincinnati (2018-20, '22), Eastern Michigan (2021) and Northwestern (2023), signed with the Jets this past Thursday.
Shelton (6-2, 185), who rejoined the Green & White this past Tuesday, spent time last summer with the Jets after a stint with the Memphis Showboats of the UFL. He also was a member of the Jets' practice squad last fall. At San Jose State, Shelton recorded 195 tackles, 8 interceptions and 32 pass defenses in 45 games.
