Hours after the New England Patriots confirmed the release of veteran lineback Adalius Thomas, Manish Mehta of the Newark Star-Ledger reports the New York Jets are interested in signing the 6-2, 270-pound linebacker from Southern Mississippi.

Declining production was just part of Thomas' release from New England. Thomas was about to enter the fourth year of a five-year, $35 million dollar contract, and it's in those later years where base salaries often increase by more than 200% over the third-year of the deal. Thomas earned $1.9M in 2009, and was set to earn $4.9M in 2010. (And $5.9M in 2011)

Thomas has a connection to Jets' head coach Rex Ryan, who coached the Baltimore Ravens' defensive line when Thomas was drafted, and was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2005. In the two seasons Thomas played in a Ryan-coordinated defense, Thomas posted 167 tackles, 20 quarterback sacks, three interceptions, and eight forced fumbles, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2006 and leading the NFL in non-offensive touchdowns in 2005 with 3.