Former Bison Geoff Gray joins New York Jets practice roster

By: Mike Sawatzky Posted: 12:37 PM CDT Sunday, Sep. 3, 2017 Last Modified: 1:54 PM CDT Sunday, Sep. 3, 2017 | Updates

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Former University of Manitoba offensive lineman Geoff Gray, released by the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, has agreed to terms with the New York Jets and is expected to join the NFL team's practice roster immediately.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/09/2017 (2959 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

His agent confirmed Gray was en route to New York Sunday and will be signing with the Jets, pending a team physical.

The 6-5 1/2, 315-pounder, who played guard and tackle during the pre-season for the Packers, was the eighth overall selection by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2017 CFL Draft on May 7.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Offensive lineman Geoff Gray has signed with the New York Jets. — WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Offensive lineman Geoff Gray has signed with the New York Jets.

Gray’s CFL draft position would have undoubtedly been higher without the NFL interest in his services.

Gray cleared NFL waivers at noon today after being cut by the Packers to get down to their 53-man roster. The 23-year-old Winnipeg product was eligible to be signed by any one of the 32 NFL clubs and his Boston-based agent Kristen Kuliga confirmed that “four or five teams,” including Green Bay, had been interested in signing him to their practice roster.

The Jets were one of eight NFL teams to send a representative to his pro day in Winnipeg in late March. Gray also sparked NFL interest when he performed well at the East-West Shrine Game, a U.S. college all-star game.

Green Bay signed him as a priority free agent after he was passed over in the NFL Draft.

NFL teams can have 10 players on their practice squad. In 2016, teams were required to pay practice roster players a minimum of US$6,900 per week, which worked out to US$117,300 over a full season. In 2017, the weekly minimum has risen to US$7,200 per week or US$122,400 if a player remains on the practice roster for a full 17 weeks.

The Blue Bombers also own CFL rights to linebacker Andy Mulumba, who was released by the Los Angeles Rams but believed to be interested in continuing his career in the NFL.

The 27-year-old native of Luputa, Congo went to high school in Montreal and was the No. 2 overall pick by then Winnipeg GM Joe Mack in the 2013 CFL Draft.

Mulumba signed as a free agent with the Packers out of Eastern Michigan, suiting up for 22 regular-season games and two playoff games between 2013 and 2015. He also had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14