The Lions continue to add weapons at wide receiver.
Kearse, 29, played under Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell for five seasons in Seattle. Last season with the Jets, he caught 37 passes for 371 yards and one touchdown.
His best season came in 2017, also with the Jets, when he reeled in 65 passes for 810 yards and five touchdowns, all career highs.
At 6'1, 210 pounds, Kearse will give Matthew Stafford another big target on the outside.
Kearse becomes the 14th receiver on Detroit's roster heading into the summer, and the eighth added this offseason.
Right now, the top three look like Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola. Kearse figures to battle for the fourth spot with the likes of Tommylee Lewis, Andy Jones, Chris Lacy and sixth-round draft pick Travis Fulgham.
Kearse's best season under Bevell was in 2015 when he had 45 receptions for 685 yards and five touchdowns.