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New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The New York Jets have the fourth most cap space in the NFL this offseason.
$79.3 million to be exact, according to Over The Cap. That opens the door for some potential big swings in the marketplace. However, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport explained to Jets senior reporter Eric Allen that he believes the team will take a different approach.
“You know, I think a lot of people are expecting like this huge splashy offseason. I wonder about that because that’s not really what the Jets need. They don’t need three players making $20 million more; they need like 10 [players] making like $6 million or more. I think back to the offseason that the [Washington] Commanders had two years ago. Where they signed like 12 guys and they were all making like mid-to-upper-tier free agents but not blockbusters. They basically just rebuilt the roster with the draft picks, you know, free agents taking the place of draft picks essentially,” Rapoport said.
“I could see that kind of offseason for them from the Jets. I’m sure there will be some splash, maybe a quarterback, but I like the idea of — this is sort of a, it’s not the sexiest free agency ever, but you can get some good players. I could see them rebuilding with a lot of mid and upper-tier free agents,” Rapoport explained.
.@nflnetwork Insider @RapSheet explained to @eallenjets what he believes the #Jets will do in free agency:
“You know, I think a lot of people are expecting like this huge splashy offseason. I wonder about that because that’s not really what the Jets need. They don’t need three
A Different Strategy Than Fans Were Hoping for on Social Media
There have been a lot of dream scenarios thrown around on Jets’ social media. Thoughts of going all in on Baltimore Ravens star center Tyler Linderbaum.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed on X that if Linderbaum reaches the open market, “he could land a deal worth $22 million per year.” That new deal would make him the highest-paid center in NFL history, at over $4 million more per year than the current market.
Fans have dreamt of adding another star receiver opposite of Garrett Wilson. The most popular name on social media is Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce.
Daniel Popper of The Athletic projects Pierce to sign a four-year, $102 million contract. That $25.5 million annual salary would place Pierce No. 15 among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
Instead of these tantalizing sweet treats, perhaps the Jets would be better served eating their veggies. It isn’t as fun or as exciting, but it’s better for your long-term health.
Substance Over Style Is the Way to Go for the Jets
In the movie “Draft Day”, Cleveland Browns owner Anthony Molina tells his head coach, Sonny Weaver Jr that he wants him to make a “splash” in the NFL draft.
“People pay to get wet,” Molina told him, referencing people going to the water park every summer.
Fans love splashy signings, making headlines, and winning the offseason. However, that doesn’t always translate to the field.
Candidly, the Jets’ roster has a litany of needs, including but not limited to, in no particular order: wide receiver, left guard, could use an upgrade at center, quarterback, cornerback, safety, off-ball linebacker, defensive tackle, defensive end, and placekicker.
You could argue that, beyond that, they also need depth at several positions. The Jets are coming off a 3-14 year. What will help them most is rebuilding this team with good football players, not just splashy one-offs.
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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