Jets sign UFL MVP QB Adrian Martinez, CB Kendall Sheffield

The Jets announced Saturday morning prior to training camp practice that they’ve signed QB Adrian Martinez and CB Kendall Sheffield.

The team released QB Ben Bryant and CB Nehemiah Shelton in corresponding moves.

Martinez, 24, started 47 games over five seasons of college football with Nebraska (four seasons) and Kansas State (one season), going 20-27 with 9,752 yards passing, 51 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions. He also ran for 627 yards and 10 touchdowns during in collegiate career. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft, but was released on Aug. 29, 2023.

Martinez then signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL and was named league MVP and the 2024 UFL Championship MVP. He for threw for 1,749 yards and 15 touchdowns, to go along with a league-leading 528 yards rushing.

He’ll join Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Andrew Peasley, and Jordan Travis (Active/Non-Football Injury list) in the QB room.

Sheffield, 28, was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth-round (pick No. 111) in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He played 38 games for the Falcons over three seasons and recorded 101 combined tackles, six passes defended, and two forced fumbles. He did not play during the 2022 season, while spending time with the Houston Texans (injured reserve) and Dallas Cowboys‘ practice squad. Sheffield then split time with the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers in 2023, playing a total of five games.

Bryant had recently signed with the Jets on Thursday, while Shelton was with the team last summer and as a practice squad member during the 2023 season.