Jets general manager Joe Douglas sets a firm price on players and he doesn’t go over that number. Apparently, that was the case with Robby Anderson.
According to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes, Douglas was willing to pay Anderson $10 million per year, but no more than that. The Carolina Panthers ended up giving Anderson a two-year deal worth $20 million with $12 million guaranteed in the first year.
That was simply too much for Douglas and he let his No. 1 wide receiver walk away over an extra $2 million.
Douglas’ approach to free agency is unlike any recent Jets general managers. He’s very conservative with how he hands out money. Instead of paying top dollar for free agents, Douglas puts a certain value on a player and if it’s higher than he likes, he doesn’t sign that player.
In the case of Anderson, it was a tough decision. Anderson hasn’t shown that he’s true No. 1 wide receiver, nor that he’s deserving of such money. Anderson has been a solid receiver for the Jets over the last few years, though. He’s tallied at least 750 receiving yards and five touchdowns in each of the last three seasons.
However, Anderson has been inconsistent. There were games in which he was really good and others where he was nowhere to be found. The lack of a strong quarterback at times has played into Anderson’s lack of production, however.
Luckily for the Jets, Anderson is replaceable. They’ve already signed Breshad Perriman for $4 million cheaper than Anderson. Meanwhile, this upcoming draft class is loaded with wide receivers. So the Jets are going to have their chance to prove that Anderson was not worth the $2 million more he got from the Panthers.