NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) knocks Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) out of bouinds and is called for unnecessary roughness in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. (Bruce Kluckhohn | USA TODAY Sports)

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Jets secondary is likely headed for a full-on rebuild this offseason. And coach Todd Bowles could be looking to a familiar face for help.

The Jets are expected to target Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson when free agency begins on March 9, a person with knowledge of the situation told NJ Advance Media. Bowles coached Jefferson during his two seasons as Arizona's defensive coordinator (2013-2014).

Jefferson, 25, signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Since then, he has established himself as one of the better strong safeties in the NFL. Jefferson is solid in coverage and very good in the box. He was ProFootballFocus.com's No. 5 ranked safety last year.

In 2016, Jefferson set career-highs in tackles (96), sacks (2) and fumble recoveries (2). He tied a career-high with five defended passes. In 2015, he set personal bests in interceptions (2) and forced fumbles (3).

If the Jets were to sign Jefferson, it might not bode well for former first-round pick Calvin Pryor. Also a strong safety, Pryor struggled mightily in 2016. He finished the season with 62 tackles and one forced fumble. He didn't have a single sack or interception.

Ex-Jets general manager John Idzik drafted Pryor in the first round in 2014. There have been loose rumors of the safety being trade bait this offseason.

The Jets currently sit with roughly $26.278 million in salary cap space, per OverTheCap.com. After releasing Darrelle Revis this week, it's highly unlikely Jefferson is the only defensive back general manager Mike Maccagnan targets.

Buster Skrine, Darryl Roberts and Juston Burris are the only cornerbacks under contract heading into 2017. Safety Marcus Gilchrist tore his patellar tendon in December, and it seems unlikely he's ready for the start of the year.

The Jets are expected to tender restricted free agent cornerback Marcus Williams.

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.