It's too early to tell whether the New York Jets' circus has left town, but Sione Pouha hasn't.

Instead of becoming a free agent for the first time in his career, the veteran nose tackle decided to re-sign with the team known last season for its locker-room turmoil.

On the eve of free agency, Pouha signed a three-year contract to remain with the Jets. The contract reportedly is worth $15 million with $9.5 million guaranteed.

"I have the utmost respect for every single guy in that locker room," Pouha said Monday on a conference call, adding, "I'm excited to get back and start banging the weights and hitting the turf and working out with these guys. Other than the things that happened, I'm more excited for what's going to happen this year."

The Jets identified Pouha as a "priority" free agent, and they accomplished their goal of keeping him off the open market. They took a gamble by not using the franchise tag on him ($7.9 million), but they were confident they'd reach a long-term deal.

"This is something I always wanted," he said. "I'll be a Jet for life."