Cesar Tordesillas

Florham Park, NJ

The New York Jets have signed former Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback David Garrard to a contract despite a two-year absence in the NFL due to injuries.

The team announced Monday that they have finalized a contract with Garrard but terms of the deal weren't immediately available.

The Jets were impressed with Garrard after working him out recently at the team facility.

The team believes that the veteran quarterback will fit new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's West Coast system.

Garrard confirmed the signing on his Twitter account, saying "Just made it official!! I am a New York Jet!!!!"

Garrard was considered the favorite to win the Miami Dolphins' starting job last summer, but his chances were derailed by a knee injury.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery and was released at the end of the preseason. Garrard, who missed the whole of 2011 with a back injury while playing for the Jaguars, sat out for a second straight year.

According to sources, Garrard's knee still could be an issue but he passed the Jets' physical.

Garrard was a solid quarterback from 2007 to 2010, throwing for at least 2,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in each of those seasons.

Garrard's hiring was the first significant roster addition for newly hired general manager John Idzik, who vowed to import competition for incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The 35-year-old Garrard will compete with Sanchez and Greg McElroy. Aside from the three, the Jets also have two other quarterbacks -- Matt Simms and Tim Tebow, who is expected to be traded or waived.

Despite a crowded quarterback position, the Jets are expected to add another signal-caller, probably another veteran or a draft pick. According to sources, free agent Brady Quinn is a possibility.

However, Mornhinweg earlier declared that Sanchez "will probably have just a little bit of a leg up" in an open competition.

Jets Sign Veteran Quarterback David Garrard - NFL News