Former Giants and Ravens safety Tony Jefferson reportedly plans to make a comeback from retirement for the 2024 season, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Though Jefferson retired ahead of the 2023 season, he didn’t spend it far from the field. He worked as a scouting intern for the Baltimore Ravens. Now, he’s looking to return to the action.
“Former #Ravens star safety Tony Jefferson is coming out of retirement and plans to play this upcoming season,” Schultz shared on Tuesday. “Jefferson has stayed in shape, has been training, and wants to play again. He intends to start talking to teams in the near future after spending last season with Baltimore as a scouting intern.”
During the first run of NFL career, which spanned nine seasons, Jefferson played in 99 games. He recorded 448 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight forced fumbles. He accumulated the stats with five different teams.
Jefferson aiming for NFL return
Jefferson entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals after a career with the Oklahoma Sooners. He built himself into a formidable asset, spending 2013 through 2016 with the Cardinals before taking his talents to Baltimore.
From 2016-19, Jefferson was one of the essential pieces for the Ravens on the defensive side of the football. He was imperative to their success and quickly became one of the favorites of defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.
After deciding to spend 2020 away from the NFL, Jefferson returned to the game in 2021. He played for both the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, but it never materialized into the type of season he hoped to have. However, the New York Giants reunited him with Martindale in The Big Apple for the 2022 season, and Jefferson helped the defensive coordinator install his defense at a new stop.
As a free agent, Jefferson is free to sign with a new team at any time. NFL teams will begin holding mandatory minicamp in June with training camp coming in July.
More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency
The NFL 2024 calendar year began at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially ran out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams had a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams could enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.
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