AFC East offseason recap: What have Jets’ rivals done in free agency?

After the first wave of free agency, the Jets Wire takes a look at AFC East offseason recap.

With Tom Brady no longer quarterbacking the New England Patriots, the window of opportunity is now wide open in the AFC East.

The Patriots, who are strapped for cap space, haven’t exactly done enough to ensure that they’ll be back in the playoffs in 2020. On the other side of the equation, the Bills, Dolphins and Jets have all upgraded their rosters.

While the Jets can’t erase years of bad drafting and contracts in one offseason, Joe Douglas is attempting to turn things around. Buffalo and Miami have improved as well, though. Josh Allen and the Bills are set for another playoff run, while the next rookie quarterback that comes to South Beach will be on a competitive roster that is well-coached.

With that said, let’s take a look at the AFC East and recap what the four teams have done through the first wave of free agency.

New York Jets

(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Joe Douglas has made savvy deals based on value in order to set the Jets up for success in 2020 and beyond. While the Jets have missed out on high-end free agents and even allowed their No. 1 WR, Robby Anderson, to walk in free agency, they still have made moves to improve the roster.

Still, Sam Darnold is not set up for more success than he was in 2019 and that needs to change between now and when the Jets officially take the field. Whether it’s trading for Trent Williams and adding a first-round wide receiver or finding the rest of Darnold’s help in the draft, there’s more work to do. New York has made strides to cut the gap in the AFC East, but Gang Green needs to do a better job of setting up its young quarterback for success like Buffalo and Miami.

Re-Signed

  • CB Brian Poole (1-year deal)
  • CB Arthur Maulet (1-year deal)
  • OG Alex Lewis (3-year deal)
  • LB Neville Hewitt (1-year deal)
  • LB James Burgess (1-year deal)
  • LB Jordan Jenkins (1-year deal)
  • S Bennett Jackson (1-year deal)

Key Departures

  • WR Robby Anderson: Signed by Carolina Panthers (2-year deal)
  • OT Brandon Shell: Signed by Seattle Seahawks (2-year deal)
  • OG Tom Compton: Signed by San Francisco 49ers (1-year deal)
  • OL Brent Qvale: Signed by Houston Texans (1-year deal)
  • LB Brandon Copeland: Signed by New England Patriots (1-year deal)
  • CB Maurice Canady: Signed by Dallas Cowboys (1-year deal)
  • CB Darryl Roberts: Released
  • CB Trumaine Johnson: Released

Key Additions

  • OT George Fant (3-year deal)
  • OG Greg Van Roten (3-year deal)
  • OC Connor McGovern (3-year deal)
  • OG Josh Andrews (1-year deal)
  • WR Breshad Perriman (1-year deal)
  • CB Pierre Desir (1-year deal)
  • LB Patrick Onuwasor (1-year deal)
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