Person familiar with deal tells AP that Jets acquire Super Bowl MVP Holmes from Steelers

AP Source: Jets acquire WR Holmes

NEW YORK — The New York Jets acquired wide receiver Santonio Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night for a fifth-round draft pick this month, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams had yet to announce the trade.

Holmes, the 2009 Super Bowl MVP, gives quarterback Mark Sanchez another big-time target to throw to in an offense that already had Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, promising tight end Dustin Keller and recently signed running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Holmes has 235 career catches for 3,835 yards and 20 touchdowns, but also brings his share of off-field issues, which could explain the relatively low price the Jets paid to get him.

The 26-year-old receiver is facing a lawsuit in Florida from a woman who claims he threw a glass at her, cutting her above the eye, in an Orlando nightclub. The police also have been investigating the woman’s claims. Holmes denies hurting the woman, and a witness has since taken responsibility for tossing the glass, according to Holmes’ lawyer.

In 2008, Holmes was arrested for possession of marijuana and was involved in a domestic violence incident in 2006; the misdemeanor charges were dismissed.

The former first-round pick out of Ohio State caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 35 seconds left in regulation, leading Pittsburgh over Arizona in the Super Bowl. He caught nine passes for 131 yards in the game.