Former New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott is drawing interest from some teams and wants to pick his new NFL home this week, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The 32-year-old Scott, who was released by the Jets in February, is recovered from offseason toe surgery, the source said. He suffered the turf-toe injury in Week 3 of last season. He tried to play through the pain, but eventually missed a game, ending his streak of 119 consecutive games played.
He was the first big acquisition of the Rex Ryan administration, following the coach to New York from the Baltimore Ravens. The Jets enticed him with a six-year, $48 million contract in 2009, making him the centerpiece of the defense. Ryan and two assistant coaches took a celebrated recruiting trip to Scott's Maryland home, showing up at midnight at the start of free agency.
Scott brought toughness and swagger to the unit, which vaulted to No. 1 in the league rankings in 2009. In four seasons with the Jets, Scott recorded 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. He perhaps became best best known during his New York tenure for his "Can't Wait!" rant on ESPN after the Jets upset the New England Patriots in the 2010 divisional playoffs.
He became a malcontent in 2011, though, complaining about his diminished playing time, and also had several clashes with the media, once incurring a $10,000 fine for making an obscene gesture toward a news photographer.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini contributed to this report.
