6 Jets who went elsewhere, then returned to franchise and made an impact

Geno Smith is back with the Jets for a second act. It’s Take Three for Demario Davis.

They’re part of a group of players who were Jets, went elsewhere and then returned. The list includes Vinny Testaverde, Antonio Cromartie, Braylon Edwards and Joe Flacco.

The Jets hope Smith and Davis can have an impact in their returns to the franchise. Here are six players who did:

Laveranues Coles, WR

A Jets’ third-round pick in 2000, Coles quickly became their No. 1 receiver. He hauled in 89 catches for 1,264 yards in his third season. In 2003, the Jets didn’t match Washington’s seven-year, $35 million offer sheet for him. They reacquired Coles two years later for Santana Moss.

While Moss had some prolific seasons in Washington, Coles picked up where he left off with the Jets. He was their leading receiver in 2005 and 2006. Coles caught 91 passes — fifth-most in team history— for 1,098 yards and six touchdowns in 2006 and helped the Jets reach the playoffs.

Coles averaged 72 catches for 860 yards and six touchdowns over four seasons in his second time with the Jets.

Darrelle Revis, CB

He was the best cornerback in the NFL in his first stint as a Jet from 2007-2012, a three-time first-team All-Pro and a big reason they played in back-to-back AFC Championship Games.

Revis was traded to Tampa Bay in 2013 over a contract dispute, a common theme during his time as a Jet. He played one season with Tampa Bay and one with New England — where he won a Super Bowl — before signing a five-year, $70 million contract with the Jets in 2015.

That year, Revis picked off five passes and made the Pro Bowl. The Jets went 10-6, which was their last winning season. He spent one more year as a Jet, but he wasn’t the same player. He was released in 2017 and played five games for Kansas City. 

Revis is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Jets’ Ring of Honor.

Demario Davis, LB

The Jets drafted Davis in the third round in 2012, let him leave in free agency in 2016, brought him back in a trade with Cleveland the next year, and then let him walk again after 2017. 

In his second tour as a Jet, Davis established himself as a top linebacker. His 97 solo tackles were tied for the most in the NFL in 2017 and his 135 total tackles ranked sixth. Davis also led the Jets with 13 tackles for loss.

The Jets erred in not re-signing Davis. He’s back again after eight seasons with New Orleans, where he was a five-time All-Pro (first- and second-team) and made two Pro Bowls.

Nick Folk, K

A Jet from 2010-2016 in his first go-around, he became a “Folk Hero” when he made a 32-yard field goal as time expired to beat Indianapolis in a 2010 AFC Wild Card game. That was the last time the Jets were in the playoffs.

After kicking for Tampa, New England and Tennessee, Folk returned to the Jets in 2025. He converted 28 of 29 field-goals attempts (league-best 96.6%) and all 22 of his extra-point tries.

Folk, who is second in franchise history with 203 field goals made, is an ex-Jet again. He signed with Atlanta for two years and $4 million guaranteed.

Thomas Morstead, P

Best known for his time with the Saints, Morstead punted in seven games for the Jets in 2021, filling in for injured Braden Mann. After playing for Atlanta and Miami, Morstead returned in 2023 and had a record-setting year.

Morstead tied the franchise mark with 99 punts in 2023 and set a Jets record with 4,831 yards (sixth-most in NFL history). Morstead’s 48.8 yards per punt that season is a Jets' record and 41.8 net yards per punt ranks fourth in team history. He had three punts downed inside the 3-yard line in a win over the Giants.

The Jets didn’t re-sign Morstead after the 2024 season.

Jerry Holmes, CB

The undrafted corner made the Jets in 1980 and became a starter the next year. Holmes had 11 takeaways (regular season and playoffs) from 1981-83. He left the Jets in 1984 and played for the Pittsburgh Maulers and New Jersey Generals in the USFL.

When the league folded following the 1985 season, Holmes returned to the Jets. He led them with six interceptions in 1986 — three coming during a nine-game winning streak — and a forced fumble. He had another pick in the playoffs that year. The Jets released him in 1988.