Jets and Martin Reach Agreement to a Restructured Contract

The New York Jets and running back Curtis Martin, the NFL’s fourth-ranked all-time leading rusher, have mutually agreed today to a restructured contract. As per Club policy terms and length of the contract were undisclosed. The announcement was made by Jets’ General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

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Martin, who will be entering his 12th NFL season and his ninth with the Jets, is the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history with 14,101 yards on 3,518 carries. The former University of Pittsburgh star joined the team as a restricted free agent in March of 1998. With the Jets, Martin has established Club-records in nearly every rushing category, including: rushing yards (10,302), rushing attempts (2,560), rushing touchdowns (58), 100-yard rushing games (43), and yards from scrimmage (12,741).

"Curtis Martin is a special person and a player destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame," said Tannenbaum. "He has confirmed through his actions that he is always seeking ways to help the New York Jets win football games and to lead the team both verbally and through his extremely high level of play. Curtis places the accomplishments of the team ahead of his personal goals and is willing to sacrifice in all areas of the arena for the New York Jets. He has set aside what may be in his best short-term interest for the immediate and long-term goals of this organization. We are truly fortunate to have Curtis as one of the unquestioned leaders of the organization on the football field and in our community."




"I have known Curtis Martin for the past eight years and have always had the highest regards for him as both an individual and as one of the fiercest and most determined athletes in the game of professional football," said Head Coach Eric Mangini. "Curtis has demonstrated through both his words and his actions how important it is for him to lead the Jets to the highest level in this game. He is a smart, tough, competitive and a hard-working player that has placed football paramount amongst his priorities in life. His actions, through the agreement we reached today, demonstrate what a selfless individual he truly he is."

In 2005 Martin started the first 12 games of the season before a knee injury forced him to the injured reserve list for the final four contests. He led the team in rushing with 735 yards on 220 carries and a tied for the team high in touchdowns with five. He also added 118 yards receiving on 24 receptions, the fifth-most on the team.

Martin had a streak of 119 consecutive regular-season games started for the Jets at the time he was forced to the injured reserve list, the longest streak ever by a running back in Jets’ team history. In addition, Martin started two playoffs games in 1998, one in 2001, two in 2002 and two in 2004, which brought his streak of consecutive starts in combined regular and postseason play to 126 contests. Over the course of his career, Martin has played in 168 regular season games, making 166 starts, and has missed only four games over the course of his career. Martin, with 10 career postseason games played and started, has accumulated 795 yards on 182 carries for a 4.4 average and eight rushing touchdowns, while adding 305 yards and 37 receptions for an 8.2 average.

"I have never been afraid to take a chance on myself," said Martin. "Since I started playing this game I have been taught and learned that this game is a team game and there are a lot of things more important than money. I believe I have always been a person that enjoys meeting challenges head-first. I believe in the New York Jets and the leadership team that we have in place. Mr. Johnson and the New York Jets have been very good to me throughout my career and they have stood behind me and I am sincerely appreciative for the opportunity to play here. Going in to the off-season, I knew there was a chance that we may talk about a restructuring of my contract, and rather than have it be an acrimonious situation, I wanted to resolve the matter quietly and never felt like it had to become an ugly situation. This was not a hard decision because of the belief I have in the leadership of this team and my teammates, and that I have in myself.

I have already begun to prepare for the 2006 season and am anxious to get the bad taste that the season left me with. I feel that it is important to put the goals of the team ahead of individual goals, and I have restructured my contract to allow us the opportunity to be more competitive as we move forward. I feel like my injury let our team down because I wasn’t able to finish the season and my intention is to help get this team to the highest level. It’s a challenge and one I readily accept. I have a chip on my shoulder because last season was not what we wanted. I am looking forward to coming back stronger and healthier in 2006 and am thrilled that it is with the New York Jets."