Veteran OLB Calvin Pace Not Ready To Retire, Would Love To Re-Sign With Jets

Rich Cimini of ESPN reports that veteran OLB Calvin Pace is not ready to retire, and would love an opportunity to return to the Jets.

However, Cimini adds that it’s unclear if the Jets has any interest in bringing Pace back into the mix. Cimini points out that the Jets appear to have placed an emphasis on youth and speed at the linebacker position, which could hurt Pace’s chances of returning to the Jets.

Although, Jets HC Todd Bowles mentioned shortly after the draft that they haven’t closed the door on bringing Pace back at some point, but there hasn’t been any buzz about a return since then.

Pace, 35, is a former first-round pick of the Cardinals back in 2003. He played out his rookie contract in Arizona before signing on with the Jets as an unrestricted free agent in 2008.

Pace has spent the past eight years with the Jets, but his free agent market has been very limited this year.

In 2015, Pace appeared in all 16 games for the Jets and recorded 22 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, a recovery and a pass defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 80 edge defender out of 110 qualifying players.