Jets defensive end Kony Ealy said Wednesday that the organization has spoken with his camp about re-signing him after this season, when he is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.

"Our people have had conversations, potential whatever," Ealy told NJ Advance Media. "But at the end of the day, everything will settle itself. It's not a really a top worry of mine."

Ealy, who turns 26 on Thursday, said he wants to return to the Jets in 2018.

"Definitely," he said. "Just got to wait and see. You never know what happens. It's a long way from that now. Just got to worry about finishing out the year."

The Jets are 5-9 with two games left in this season.

Between the end of the season and the March 12 start of free agency negotiating, the Jets have exclusive negotiating rights with Ealy, because he is currently a member of their team.

The Panthers drafted him in Round 2 in 2014, so he is in the final year of his rookie contract -- a four-year, $3.546 million deal.

The Panthers traded him to the Patriots in March, but New England waived him at the end of August. The Jets claimed him (and his contract) off waivers.

Ealy, who is young enough to fit into the Jets' youthful rebuilding process, has done some nice things this season in coach Todd Bowles' defense. Why has he fit in well?

"Allowing me to get to the ball," he said. "Same thing I did in Carolina. But it's not really what I think. It's more so what they think, for me to be here. Obviously, they think a lot for me to be here, if I'm still here, or if they're considering bringing me back. At the end of the day, I just control what I can control."

Ealy this season has just one sack, but also nine pass breakups -- an impressive number for a defensive lineman. He has one interception and seven quarterback hits.

For his career, Ealy has 15 sacks. The most notable moment of his career remains the Super Bowl after the 2015 season. In the Panthers' loss to the Broncos, Ealy had three sacks and one interception, plus one forced fumble and one recovered fumble.

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.