The Jets are going to have to take part in a bidding war if they want to bring back wide receiver Robby Anderson in 2020.
Following a season in which he earned himself a nice payday with his performance, Anderson is set to hit free agency for the first time. At only 26 years old, Anderson is entering his prime and will have the chance to cash in on what very well could be the biggest contract of his career.
After New York’s 13-6 win over the Bills on Sunday, Anderson said he wasn’t interested in taking a hometown discount to remain in the Big Apple. On Monday, he took it even further and reaffirmed his desire to test the open market and not re-sign with the Jets before finding out what he’s worth.
“I don’t think it’s really logical to sign before [free agency] at this point from a business perspective,” Anderson said. “Why wouldn’t I go out there and see what my value truly could be and do things in the correct business manner? That wouldn’t really be logical.”
Anderson and the Jets couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract extension during the offseason, leaving New York in its current predicament. Since the two sides last negotiated, Anderson’s price tag has gone up. The Temple product finished 2019 with 52 receptions, 779 yards and five touchdowns. Anderson’s numbers aren’t eye-popping, but his ability to take the top off the defense and his underneath route-running skills that developed nicely throughout the season are going to make him a hot commodity in a relatively thin wide receiver market.
Well aware of the market and his rising value, Anderson is eager to see how much money he can earn in the spring. He is now worth an estimated $11.4 million according to Spotrac and The Athletic’s Connor Hughes says Anderson could be seeking a deal in the $13-15 million range.
“The goal, in the business perspective, is to get the most money and the best situation,” Anderson said. “The goal is to best the most amount of money with what I’m worth and be in the best situation.”
Whether the Jets want to bring back Anderson at his desired price remains to be seen. If they do, general manager Joe Douglas is going to have to pony up and make a big offer to keep New York’s No. 1 receiver in his first offseason running the show.