Last offseason, the New York Jets gave free-agent linebacker Erin Henderson a shot, signing him to a one-year contract for the veteran minimum.

Henderson rewarded them with solid play both on special teams and defense, eventually working into the starting rotation at inside linebacker.

Now, the Jets would like to reward him with a new contract.

According to a source, the Jets want to re-sign Henderson and pair him with David Harris, making the duo the team’s starting inside linebackers heading into next season. The source added that the team is ready to move on from Demario Davis, and are likely to let the Jets former third-round pick hit the open market.

The source confirmed the Jets and representatives from Henderson’s party met at the Senior Bowl Wednesday to discuss the early details of a deal. According to the source, both Jets GM Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles were thrilled with the linebackers performance last season, and view him as their starter.

Henderson prefers to stay in New York.

No deal can be signed until after the Super Bowl. NJAM’s Dom Cosentino was the first to report the news of Henderson’s meeting.

Henderson was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings back in 2008. Over the ensuing six years, the versatile backer worked his way from roster long-shot, to one of the team’s better special teamers, to eventually starting linebacker.

In 2013, Henderson recorded 112 tackles, four sacks, three passes defensed and two interceptions. Heading into the 2014 season, he was viewed as one of the NFL’s best outside linebackers.

That was until off-the-field troubles took Henderson off the field. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Nov. of 2013, then again on Jan. 1, 2014. He was released from the Vikings a little over a month later. As he worked to get his life together, Henderson sat out of football for the entire 2014 season.

Last offseason, Henderson began to make his NFL comeback. After working out in front of roughly 10 teams, he signed a one-year deal with the Jets. Much like when his career began, Henderson was relegated to strictly special teams duty to start, but slowly but surely worked his way into the Jets defensive rotation.

With Davis struggling, Henderson began to see more and more playing time. By the end of the season, he and Davis were rotating each series.

In New York’s final six games, Henderson recorded 34 tackles, including a season-high 11 in the Jets Week 17 finale against the Bills.

Henderson will turn 30 in July.

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Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for the USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. He can be reached on Twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes), or via email (chughes@usatoday.com)