The Jets have released yet another one of their 2019 starting cornerbacks.
The team announced on Saturday that it has officially released cornerback Darryl Roberts after four seasons with the Jets. Roberts had a $2 million guarantee on Sunday, so the Jets had to make a decision before then. By cutting him, the team cleared $6 million in cap space.
Roberts joined the Jets in 2016 after spending one season with the Patriots, the team he was originally drafted by in 2015 out of Marshall. He impressed in a limited role in 2016 and 2017 with 56 total tackles, 14 pass breakups and one interception.
Roberts earned more of a solidified role in the Jets secondary in 2018 when he started 10 games. He played well once again with 41 total tackles, seven pass breakups and one interception.
Last March, Roberts was rewarded for his efforts with a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the Jets. However, Roberts struggled as a starter in 2019, recording 58 total tackles, six pass defenses and one interception. The biggest knock on his style of play was his awareness for finding the football. He’d always seemed to be in position to make a play, but couldn’t locate the football.
Now the Jets have to replace two starting cornerbacks with Roberts and Trumaine Johnson off the roster. Bless Austin could be in line for a starting gig, but the Jets will have to explore external options in order to shore up the cornerback room.