After just two seasons in New York, don’t be surprised if the Jets cut Avery Williamson. 

The inside linebacker missed all of the 2019 season after tearing his ACL in the Jets’ second preseason game on Aug. 15, and there’s a chance Joe Douglas deems Williamson’s cap hit too expensive to keep around.

The Jets signed Williamson to a three-year, $22.5 million contract before the 2018 season. He went on to lead the team with 120 tackles. He was poised to join C.J. Mosley in the middle of Gregg Williams’ defense in 2019, but the Jets never saw that plan come to fruition after Adam Gase inexplicably left Williamson in too long during a meaningless exhibition match and he missed the season with an ACL injury.

Williamson is a great player who would be a major contributor on defense next season, but his $8.5 million cap hit in 2020 ranks fifth among contracts on the Jets. The decision to keep or cut Williamson will be one of the most important choices Douglas will make this offseason, as it could open the Jets up to other free agents but also weaken their core of veterans on defense.

Pros of keeping him

The Jets felt Williamson’s absence in 2019. After he tore his ACL, they cycled through Neville Hewitt, rookie Blake Cashman and James Burgess at inside linebacker with varying degrees of success and more injuries.

Williamson made his presence felt all over the defense in 2018. Not only did he lead the team with a career-high 120 combined tackles, but he also finished with three sacks, one interception, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Williamson has also been one of the best run defenders since he joined the league in 2014. He finished 2018 with 29 stops – 13th overall – and his 90.4 run defense grade since 2014 ranks fifth among linebackers over that span.

His veteran presence –  75 starts in 79 games since 2014– is hard to find on the open market for his price. The Jets would be looking at a similar situation to last season at the second inside linebacker spot if they don’t keep Williamson.

Cons of keeping him

There are three issues with keeping Williamson: durability, the development of Blake Cashman and his cap hit.

Williamson hadn’t missed a game in his career prior to tearing his ACL, but there’s no telling how his body and mind with come back from such a devastating injury. It’s a huge question mark for his longevity on the Jets and in the league, and something Douglas will weigh greatly before making his decision.

Williamson’s presence also halts the development of Cashman, who started five games at inside linebacker before landing on injured reserve himself. The rookie played admirably in Williamson’s position with 40 tackles, half a sack, three tackles for a loss and three quarterback hits. He was also solid in coverage compared to the other backup linebackers on the Jets. Cashman is nine pounds lighter than Williamson but the same height, four years younger and a lot cheaper. He could be the future at inside linebacker for the Jets, and $8 million cheaper.

As mentioned earlier, Williamson also comes with an $8.5 million cap hit in 2020 – fifth-most on the team. Cutting him saves Douglas roughly $6.5 million, which he could use to bolster the offensive line, secondary, pass rush or sign another wide receiver. If Douglas believes Cashman can play close to the same level as Williamson, it would make sense to move him up and save the cash for something more pressing.

Verdict

Between the cap savings and the development of Cashman, it makes a lot of sense for the Jets to cut Williamson and use the $6.5 million elsewhere. The concern over how Williamson will return from injury is real and can be mitigated by rolling with Cashman alongside Mosley, who should return to full strength after a season-long groin injury.

The Jets can backfill inside linebacker either through the draft or with a cheaper in-house or free-agent option. Williamson is a really good player who will likely continue to play at a high level somewhere else, but the Jets have far greater concerns on their roster than at inside linebacker and can’t afford to waste money.