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New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey speaking at the podium at the 2025 NFL Combine.
The New York Jets will have to make it rain this offseason.
NFL Insider Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports explained that several teams, including the Jets, “must spend an additional $50 million on player contracts this year to meet their three-year requirement, according to the CBA.”
The CBA states in Article 12, Section 9 from 2024 through 2026, a three-year league period, “there shall be a guaranteed Minimum Team Cash Spending of 90% of the Salary Caps for such periods,” via Over The Cap.
“Any shortfall in the Minimum Team Cash Spending at the end of a League Year in which it is applicable (i.e., the 2020, 2023, 2026, or 2030 League Years) shall be paid, on or before the next September 15, by the Team having such shortfall, directly to the players who were on such a Team’s roster at any time during the applicable seasons, pursuant to the reasonable allocation instructions of the NFLPA,” via OTC.
In other words, you’d better spend it or you will lose it.
Money Burning a Hole in a Certain Pocket
The Jets likely didn’t need an additional push from an outside force to spend money this offseason.
There is plenty of pressure inside the building to fix this team, which is coming off a 3-14 campaign in 2025.
The NFLPA informed agents “that they expect the salary cap to be $303.5 million this league year, though it could reach as high as $305 million,” Pauline revealed.
So what will this mean for the free agents the Jets sign this offseason?
Pauline explained that the money spent on free agents and/or potential contract extensions will be “frontloaded with a lot of cash for the 2026 season.”
Woody Johnson Has Given the Go-Ahead
“In recent years, the Jets have not been major players in free agency. They signed their share of veterans — as every team does — but lacked the financial flexibility to significantly reshape the roster on the open market,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY wrote.
“That will not be the case next month. Sources expect the Jets to be among the league’s more aggressive teams in free agency as they attempt to upgrade a roster coming off a 3-14 season. The organization believes substantial reinforcements are needed,” Hughes explained. “Owner Woody Johnson is expected to be willing to use financial muscle to close the gap between the Jets and competing suitors.”
Time to Make Some Seismic Changes
Spending money in free agency doesn’t have a 1.000 batting average. However, the Jets have little choice this offseason.
The team needs a serious roster makeover, and they will be pushed to spend money because of the rules in the CBA.
In no particular oder the Jets need a quarterback, running back (if they move on from Breece Hall), a wide receiver, tight end depth, a starting left guard, a potential upgrade at center, a defensive end, a defensive tackle, an off-ball linebacker, a cornerback, and a safety.
They could also use a placekicker if Nick Folk retires or decides to move on to another team.
That is a lot of needs. Thankfully, the Jets have the fourth most cap space in the NFL this offseason.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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