One of Joe Douglas’ most important decisions this offseason revolves around Robby Anderson.
The wide receiver isn’t enjoying the breakout season many had hoped to see from him in his fourth year, but Anderson said he isn’t too worried how it will affect his contract negotiations with the Jets as his unrestricted free agency draws closer.
“It’ll work itself out,” Anderson after Thursday’s practice. “I know the work I put in and I know what I’m capable of doing.”
Anderson signed his one-year, $3,095,000 restricted free agent tender this past offseason with his sights set on a big payday at the end of the year. But instead of a big season, Anderson has seen a dip in production as his receptions, yards and touchdowns have declined over the past two seasons. Through 12 games in 2019, he only has 36 receptions for 546 yards and three touchdowns.
He’s played well lately – with back-to-back games of more than 80 yards – but tends to disappear in pivotal games against superior secondaries. In two games against Patriots’ cornerback Stephon Gilmore this season, Anderson only hauled in four receptions for 21 yards.
Despite his down season, Anderson remains confident in his abilities and how that will translate at the negotiating table.
“I don’t really try to pay that no mind,” Anderson said, via NorthJersey.com. “Sometimes you can’t dictate a player’s potential and overlook what they have done. I don’t really think that’s going to be a factor, because I’m still the player that I am, it’s just the situation that’s been going on.”
For what it’s worth, Anderson has been one of the best deep-threat receivers in the game since he entered the league. He’s averaged 14.8 yards per reception for his career, which is tied for 10th among all receivers with at least 150 receptions since 2016.
Anderson burst on the scene as an undrafted rookie in 2016 and followed up a strong end to his first year with a 63-catch, 941-yard and seven-touchdown sophomore season in 2017. His numbers declined with Sam Darnold under center, though, in 2018 and have dropped further with Darnold in Adam Gase’s offense. This season, Anderson’s targets have been widely inconsistent and he’s only eclipsed 100 receiving yards twice all year.
“It’s been hard at times,” Anderson said. “But I feel like the games that I’ve put up, I’ve had pretty good games when given the opportunity I feel like. I know the work that I’ve put it in and I know what I’m capable of doing.”
Darnold put the onus on himself for getting Anderson more involved in the offense. The two have been magical at times the past two seasons, but inconsistent in big moments. Darnold also has more reliable options in the offense this year, including Jamison Crowder and Le’Veon Bell, who both saw more targets than Anderson prior to Week 13.
“I think for me, it’s about getting the ball to him in a timely matter and making sure that I stay on time,” Darnold said, per the New York Post. “When you got a guy that’s so fast like Robby, you got to make sure you’re on time or else you’re going to miss him. I think we’ve done a lot better job, or I’ve done a better job of staying on time and on rhythm with him.”
If Douglas and Gase truly believe Anderson can be a quality contributor on offense and potentially a top receiving option for Darnold, retaining his services makes the most sense. The price will be the biggest question. Spotrac.com suggests Anderson is worth a four-year, $47,087,060 contract that would pay him $11.7 million annually. That puts him on similar contracts as Allen Robinson (Bears) and Alshon Jeffery (Eagles), who were the same age or younger when they signed their current deals.
Is Anderson worth that much money? That’s for Douglas to decide. If the Jets are serious about signing Anderson, they’ll have to weigh his potential off-field concerns. He was arrested twice between 2017 and 2018, including an ugly-looking altercation with police in 2018 which could have led to a suspension. Anderson’s been a model citizen since then, but there’s always a risk with players who’ve been arrested for these types of incidents in the past.
Anderson doesn’t seem concerned, nor should he be considering the interest surrounding him during the past two trade deadlines. Multiple teams inquired about his services but the Jets refused to trade him away. The talent is obviously there for him to be a quality contributor. It’s just a matter of what the Jets are willing to pay for his production.
“I honestly feel like I’m one of the best receivers in the NFL when given the opportunity,” Anderson said Thursday, via the Jets’ team website. “If you look, when I’m given those opportunities and given those multiple targets, I put up those numbers that people that are considered top receivers do. And I feel like I’ve done that on a consistent basis throughout my career when given the opportunity. I’m just trying to make the best plays and do the best I can to contribute to the team.”