Right tackle Austin Howard signed a five-year, $30 million deal with the Oakland Raiders.
Howard, an undrafted free agent from Northern Iowa, started every game for the New York Jets the past two seasons. He was tied for the NFL lead among right tackles with two sacks allowed in 2013.
Oakland landed left tackle Rodger Saffold Tuesday with a surprising five-year, $42.5 million contract with $21 million guaranteed.
Howard will replace veteran Tony Pashos at right tackle. Pashos allowed six sacks last season.
The Jets were interested in re-signing Howard but talks broke off Tuesday afternoon. New York quickly shifted its attention to Breno Giacomini, a free agent from the Seattle Seahawks.
Howard’s contract includes $15 million guaranteed. The 6-7, 330-pound tackle played for $2 million in 2013 and was dominant as a run blocker. According to NFL statistics, no team ran behind their right tackle more than the Jets last season.
Howard entered the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010 and was signed by the Jets off of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in 2011.