The New York Jets moved Thursday to bolster their front four as the team reached an agreement with defensive end Steve White, an unrestricted free agent who played all previous six seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

White, 28, will sign a four-year contract worth $7.25 million, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed. The contract includes a signing bonus of $1.3 million and base salaries of $1 million (for 2002), $1.25 million (2003), $1.7 million (2004) and $2 million (2005). Of the 2003 base, $250,000 is fully guaranteed.

He can also earn up to $500,000 per season in playing time incentives.

New York officials had made White a priority and began speaking with Rosenhaus, arguably the most proactive agent in the early stages of the signing period, last weekend. Jets coach Herman Edwards is familiar with White, of course, from their days together in Tampa Bay.

The former Tennessee standout entered the league with the Bucs in 1996 as an undrafted college free agent. He has been a part-time starter during his career, but always an integral element in the Tampa Bay defensive line rotation.

White will likely start for the Jets and should provide the team a solid two-way defender, one who can stop the run and also has some pass rush skills, as exhibited by his five sacks in 2001. He has played in 79 games and started 15 and has 11 career sacks.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.