Now that both Brian Winters and Quincy Enunwa are no longer with the organization, Jordan Jenkins and Steve McLendon are the Jets’ longest-tenured players.
Both defenders joined the Jets in 2016 when ex-Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan was calling the shots.
Winters and Enunwa were the last two players on New York’s roster who held ties to both John Idzik and Rex Ryan. They joined the Jets in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Winters, a long-suspected cap casualty, was released on Sunday. A former third-round pick out of Kent State University, Winters had been with the Jets for the past seven seasons, starting 79 of 89 games in his career with Gang Green. In less than 24 hours, he was able to find a new home in Buffalo. His departure saved the Jets $7.28 million in cap space.
As for Enunwa, the Jets officially released the oft-injured wide receiver on Monday. Enunwa had already been ruled out for the 2020 season and was on the team’s reserve/PUP list. Enunwa showed flashes of promise but was never able to stay on the field due to multiple neck injuries and a spinal stenosis diagnosis. Enunwa missed the entire 2017 season with a neck injury but bounced back for a sound performance as the team’s No. 3 receiving option in 2018. Enunwa was then signed to a four-year, $36 million contract extension but wound up playing just one game on his new deal.
New York got no salary relief by releasing Enunwa.
Winters and Enunwa’s departures will leave a void in the locker room, but both Jenkins and McLendon have been leaders in their own rights.
Although McLendon is now 34 years old, the defensive tackle has shown no signs of slowing down. McLendon has become one of Maccagnan’s better and more underrated additions during his time in New York. He has severed as the heart and soul of Gang Green’s defense and has helped the Jets locker room navigate through tumultuous times. For example, with the Jets unable to workout at the team’s facilities in Florham Park back in May, McLendon opened up his gym in Georgia for his teammates to come train.
McLendon’s future with the organization beyond 2020 is currently up in the air, however.
Jenkins has been one of New York’s rare mid-round draft picks that has panned out. Coming back to lead the unit after his free agent market didn’t take off, Jenkins has consistently been one of New York’s strongest pass-rushers. He could play himself into a contract extension this year if he keeps getting after the quarterback.
As of now, no current Jet has been with the organization for more than four seasons. Joe Douglas continues to rebuild the roster from the bottom up and with that, there has been plenty of turnover. Whether Jenkins or McLendon is part of the organization’s future remains to be seen,