Eagles end experiment with ex-Jets' $24 million tight end

Ralph Ventre

Eagles end experiment with ex-Jets' $24 million tight end image

His Philadelphia Eagles' tenure has essentially ended before it started.

In a move confirmed by the team, the Eagles have released former New York Jets' tight end CJ Uzomah from their 90-man roster. He was coming off an August 15 preseason performance that consisted of 18 offensive snaps and no targets. Another former Jet, second-year undrafted tight end EJ Jenkins, upstaged Uzomah by catching all five of his targets against the New England Patriots.

The 31-year-old Uzomah signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia in early April after the Jets sent him packing at the start of the new league year despite one season remaining on the three-year deal he inked as a free agent in 2022.

Uzomah managed only 29 receptions over 27 games as a Jet after receiving a contract worth $24 million total ($8 million average annual value). The former fifth-round draft pick ended the 2023 campaign on Injured Reserve.

The Jets lost the veteran tight end in the first quarter of a December 3 home game against the Atlanta Falcons. Uzomah suffered an MCL injury while run blocking and was carted to the locker room. He totaled 239 offensive snaps in 2023, making eight catches for 58 yards and one touchdown.

His best pro season as a pass-catcher came with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. Over 16 starts that year, Uzomah secured 49 of 63 targets for 493 yards and five touchdowns. He spent the first seven years of his career in Cincinnati.

Over 106 career games, Uzomah has accounted for a 9.8 yards per catch average and 16 TD receptions.

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• Jets' former $45 million man signs with Dallas Cowboys

• Robert Saleh rules out three injured defenders for rest of preseason

• Jets' prime free-agent addition trending toward Week 1 availability

Ralph Ventre

Ralph Ventre Photo

Ralph Ventre, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20 years of media experience to the New York Jets beat. Prior to concentrating on Gang Green, he covered the NCAA DI Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Ventre remains an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, and he also covers the Buffalo Bills on SI. The veteran sports media professional resides in his native state of New Jersey.