Brad Penner/Associated Press

The New York Jets turned their attention to Bilal Powell after losing Chris Ivory in free agency and successfully locked up the running back on Thursday.

Adam Schefter of ESPN, citing a source, reported the deal. Powell opted to return to the Jets despite interest from the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News on Tuesday.

Ivory was New York's feature back last season, but Powell's 4.5 yards per carry were slightly higher than the starter's 4.3 average. In five years with the Jets, Powell has never carried the ball more than 176 times in a season, but he does have seven touchdowns and only three career fumbles.