DARLINGTON — Alex Erickson looks to continue his NFL career into an eighth season. On July 20, it was announced that Erickson, a Darlington native and former Wisconsin Badger WR, signed a free agent deal with the New York Jets.

Erickson, an undrafted free agent, began his professional career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played five seasons with the Bengals, playing in all 16 games, primarily as a returner. In the 2021 offseason, he signed a free agent deal with the Houston Texans, but was cut in training camp. He then signed with the Carolina Panthers and played in all 17 regular season games. In 2022, he signed as a practice squad player for the Washington Commanders, eventually seeing the field in two games.

For his career, Erickson has 110 kick returns for 2,729 yards, an average of 24.8 yards per return. He has another 162 punt returns for 1,303 yards. He has another 96 career receptions for 1,141 yards and a touchdown. He also has carried the ball 18 times for 78 yards. He has completed one pass in his career, and made six total tackles.

Erickson, 30, is a 2011 Darlington graduate, and walked-on at Wisconsin. He spent three seasons with the Badgers before graduating. 

In New York, Erickson joins former Green Bay Packers star and MVP, Aaron Rodgers. Former Packers Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard are also on the preseason roster, as is returning leader in catches and yards, Garrett Wilson. Braxton Berrios was the team’s main returner last season, fielding 26 of 31 kickoff returns and all 21 punts. Berrios signed with the Miami Dolphins this offseason. Other than Erickson, Cobb is the only other Jets player with much experience returning kicks in the NFL.