Jets sign LB Avery Williamson to 3-year, $22 million deal

NEW YORK (AP) The New York Jets have signed linebacker Avery Williamson to a three-year contract worth $22.5 million.

Williamson spent his first four NFL seasons with Tennessee and led the Titans in tackles in two of those years.

It appears the 26-year-old Williamson will be a replacement at inside linebacker for Demario Davis, who led the Jets in tackles last season with a career season but is 29 and a free agent.

Instead, New York went with the younger Williamson, who has 11 sacks and 377 tackles with two interceptions and three forced fumbles. He'll likely combine with Darron Lee to man the middle of the Jets' linebacker group.

Williamson was a fifth-round pick out of Kentucky in the 2014 draft. He became a starter for the Titans early in his rookie season and became a consistent playmaker during his four years with the team.

---

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL