Tag: Jets salary cap

Where do Jets rank in salary cap space after 53-man roster cuts?

Joe Douglas and the Jets still have a lot of cap space after roster cuts and trades from this week.

The Jets remain one the most financially flexible teams in the NFL following Tuesday’s 53-man roster cuts deadline.

New York has an estimated $15,419,255 in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap. This includes the money saved from all the roster cuts, the Chris Herndon trade to the Vikings, and the trade for Shaq Lawson.

The Jets are only behind the Panthers, Broncos, Steelers, and Washington from a salary cap perspective.

What – if anything – Joe Douglas does with that extra money remains to be seen. The Jets still have to fill out their practice squad with 16 players whose contracts are either $165,000 for the season (for rookies or players with fewer than two years in the league) or $252,000 (for veterans).

New York still lacks depth at key positions – like safety and tight end – and could pick up players off waivers, free agency or the trade block. Such moves would eat into the Jets’ cap space, but Gang Green has more wiggle room than most teams.

[listicle id=665160]

Jets release DE Henry Anderson after 3 seasons in New York

The New York Jets have released Henry Anderson. The move comes with sizeable cap savings.

The New York Jets have released Henry Anderson.

The expected move, announced Tuesday night, saves the Jets $8.2 million in cap space. Anderson had a $9.5 million cap charge, so the remaining $1.3 million is dead money. Gang Green now has more than $75 million in cap space as free agency nears.

Anderson, 29, played in 45 games and made 24 starts for New York’s defensive line over the past three seasons. He had a breakout year in 2018 after being traded from the Colts for a seventh-round pick, racking up seven sacks and 16 QB hits, both career-highs. New York awarded Anderson with a three-year, $25.2 million contract, including a guaranteed $17 million over the first two years.

Anderson’s output dropped significantly after signing that pact, though. He totaled just 1.5 sacks and 12 QB hits over his final 29 games with the Jets. While he was unable to remain a factor in the pass-rush, Anderson did record the third-highest run-stuff percentage in 2020, per NFL NextGen Stats.

The Jets have depth on the defensive line, highlighted by Quinnen Williams and a young, still-developing group. That, combined with the cap savings and lack of recent production, made Anderson expendable. With more cap casualties expected, the Jets can replace Anderson with a sack specialist in free agency or look for an upgrade in the draft.

[listicle id=654163]

Le’Veon Bell slated to receive roster bonus from Jets despite signing with Chiefs

Le’Veon Bell is slated to receive a $1 million roster bonus from the Jets on or within 15 days from Oct. 15.

Le’Veon Bell found a new home and added some extra money to his bank account courtesy of his former team on Thursday.

Less than three days after New York cut Bell after failing to find a trade partner, the former All-Pro running back signed with the Chiefs, giving himself a chance at winning a Super Bowl this season. He also has an additional $1 million from the Jets coming his way, as a roster bonus was due on or within 15 days of Oct. 15, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

Bell has an offset on his guaranteed money and the amount New York owes him. However, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Bell can claim termination pay from the Jets because they cut him. That would mean the money he is set to make with the Chiefs is not deducted from what New York owes him.

Despite any additional money the Jets still have to pay Bell (they will have to carry $4 million in dead money salary into next season), New York now leads the league in salary cap space for the 2021 offseason with Bell’s future earnings off the books. His release leaves the Jets with just 35 players under contract for 2021. If the NFL’s salary cap drops to $175 million in 2021, New York will have an estimated $81 million to work with in free agency, according to Spotrac.

Bell will get a crack at revenge against his former team when the Jets and Chiefs square off in Week 8. Until then, he can bask in the roster bonus New York owes him while now having a chance to win a championship in Kansas City.

Jets salary cap update: New York ranks 3rd in NFL after initial 53-man roster cuts

With cutdown day in the books, the Jets now rank third in the NFL in salary cap space.

With cutdown day in the books, the Jets now rank third in the NFL in salary cap space.

According to Spotrac, New York has a little more than $35.5 million in cap space following initial 53-man roster cuts. The Patriots, just shy of $40 million, are first in the league, while the Browns are second at $37 million.

As for the remaining AFC East rivals, the Dolphins have $20.8 million in cap space (10th), while the Bills have $18.3 million (12th).

The Jets didn’t part with any significantly high-dollar players on Saturday, but they were in the $30 million range prior to cuts. Getting rid of Nate Hairston’s ($2.13 million) and Jonotthan Harrison’s ($2.25 million) cap hits helped, but Gang Green was already in strong financial standing entering the weekend.

The question now is whether Joe Douglas will use any of what is clearly a 2021 nest egg on this upcoming season. Douglas is not one to make splashy moves, but he insists the Jets are not punting on the 2020 season. If that’s the case, they could use upgrades at wide receiver, pass-rusher and cornerback, among other needs.

If Douglas is so inclined, he has more than enough money to make some improvements.

Jets salary cap update: Brian Winters’ release frees more space for New York

Jets Wire takes a look at New York’s updated salary cap situation following offensive lineman Brian Winters’ release.

The Jets continued to stack up salary cap space with the release of veteran offensive lineman Brian Winters on Sunday.

Winters was a long-anticipated cap casualty after general manager Joe Douglas spent the offseason revamping New York’s offensive line. With the additions of Mekhi Becton, Cameron Clark, Josh Andrews, George Fant, Connor McGovern and Greg Van Roten, as well as the re-signing of Alex Lewis, Winters’ services were no longer required at One Jets Drive.

With Winters no longer in the picture, the Jets now have an additional $7.28 million in salary cap space, according to the Daily News’ Manish Mehta. His release does not bring any dead money against New York’s cap since he had only one year remaining on his contract.

Winters’ departure comes in the wake of C.J. Mosley’s decision to opt-out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19-related family health concerns. Since Mosley voluntarily opted out, he’ll either receive a $350,000 stipend if he’s considered medically higher-risk or a $150,000 salary advance.

According to Over The Cap, Mosley was supposed to have a 2020 cap hit of $17.5 million, but it will now be $10 million, which was his roster bonus. In 2021, Mosley’s cap hit will either be $7.5 million or $7.35 million depending on if he receives the aforementioned $350,000 or $150,000. So the Jets will have more cap space in 2021 because of that, though it remains to be seen what the NFL salary cap will be next season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What the Jets decide to do with their newfound additional salary cap space remains to be seen. Carrying any unused salary cap space into 2021 might not be a flashy move, but Douglas is not one to actively pursue splashes — especially at the expense of New York’s financial flexibility. If Douglas and the Jets decide to save their unused cap space for 2021, that extra money will come in handy once free agency rolls around next March.

How does C.J. Mosley’s opt-out impact his contract & Jets’ salary cap?

C.J. Mosley’s opt-out means that his contract is pushed back a year and the Jets save money on his cap hit.

C.J. Mosley’s decision to opt-out of the 2020 season has a number of implications on his contract and the Jets’ salary cap.

Mosley voluntarily opted out of the 2020 season due to family health concerns, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Since Mosley voluntarily opted out, he’ll either receive a $350,000 stipend if he’s considered medically higher-risk or a $150,000 salary advance.

As for Mosley’s contract, he still has four years left on the five-year, $85 million contract he signed in 2019. That means the Jets will have control of him through the 2024 season.

According to Over The Cap, Mosley was supposed to have a 2020 cap hit of $17.5 million, but it will now be $10 million, which was his roster bonus. In 2021, Mosley’s cap hit will either be $7.5 million or $7.35 million depending on if he receives the aforementioned $350,000 or $150,000. So the Jets will have more cap space in 2021 because of that, though it remains to be seen what the NFL salary cap will be next season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, Mosley’s cap hit will be $17.5 million, $8 million of which is fully guaranteed. His cap charge will be $18.5 million for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. None of these numbers have yet to be finalized, though.

Mosley’s opt-out is obviously a huge blow for the Jets defense. After the Jets traded Jamal Adams to the Seahawks, Mosley was supposed to be the centerpiece of the defense. The Jets have a ton of middle linebacker depth — this news bodes well for Avery Williamson — but Gang Green was anticipating Mosley’s return this year after he missed the majority of the 2019 season.

Now Mosley won’t put a Jets uniform on again until 2021. After playing in parts of just two games in his first season with the Jets, he has already made $29 million off his monster deal.

Cap Cut Candidate: Should Jets move on from CB Trumaine Johnson?

Should the Jets keep Trumaine Johnson for another season? Jets Wire says no way.

Before free agency kicks off in March, Jets general manager Joe Douglas is going to have some decisions to make on players already at One Jets Drive.

Along with New York’s 32 impending free agents, there are a handful of players who could be shown the door in an effort to free up salary cap space. The Jets have $53 million to spend right now, according to Spotrac. That number could grow exponentially if Douglas parts ways with players eating up a large chunk of Gang Green’s payroll.

Among those who are a candidate to become a cap casualty is cornerback Trumaine Johnson. After signing a massive five-year, $72.5 million with the Jets in 2018, Johnson has been nothing short of a disappointment in his time with the team. Should he be granted another season to figure things out? Let’s evaluate the situation.

Pros of keeping him

The Jets are in bad shape at cornerback. Brian Poole is set to hit free agency and there is no guarantee he returns to the Big Apple next season. Darryl Roberts was awful in 2019 and is also a candidate to get cut. If Johnson is let go, that leaves New York with Bless Austin, Kyron Brown and Nate Hairston. Maurice Canady and Arthur Maulet are set to hit the open market.

Yes, Johnson has underperformed since joining the Jets. However, there is a reason why he was once the best cornerbacks in football. The 30-year-old has lost a step the last couple of years, but who is to say he can’t bounce back and put together a productive 2020 season? He did look good in training camp last summer before injuring his hamstring, after all.

Cornerback is New York’s weakest position group at this juncture. Why not give Johnson one last shot to get it right?

Cons of keeping him

There is really no point in keeping Johnson at his current salary. New York owes him $11 million next season. Johnson is not worth that number considering how he has performed the last two seasons.

If the Jets release Johnson before June 1, they would absorb $12 million in dead cap, but free up $3 million in cap space. That would allow Douglas to go out and sign a corner to replace him in free agency.

Not only does cutting Johnson make sense from a financial standpoint, but from a schematic point of view as well. Johnson found himself in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ doghouse before landing on injured reserve. With the Jets looking to get younger, why would they keep an underperforming and overpaid veteran around?

The verdict

The argument that New York’s cornerback room would become even more of a mess without Johnson could give reason to believe he is worth keeping around for another year, but do not be fooled by this line of thinking.

Keeping Johnson does not solve anything. Just because he has a history of elite production does not mean he is magically going to return to that level of play. The Jets should not keep Johnson. Period.

The bottom line is, New York is better off without its 30-year-old, $72.5 million dollar man on the roster. It’s time to move on from arguably the worst free agent signing in franchise history.

Jets tied with Dolphins for most players used this season

The Jets are tied with the Dolphins for the most players used in the NFL this season with 68.

[jwplayer 6Q40ShvH-ThvAeFxT]

Due to injuries and countless roster moves, the Jets have had to scrap the bottom of the barrel for players this season.

The Jets are tied with the Dolphins for the league lead in players used this season with 68. The Jets also have $48 million worth of salary cap on injured reserve, which is more than double 26 NFL teams, according to the team’s former GM, Mike Tannenbaum. Currently, the Jets have 14 players on injured reserve.

New York has been plagued by injuries all season long. If you look at the first depth chart that came out at the beginning of the season, you’ll notice a lot of missing names on the current roster.

The positions that the Jets have been hit the worst at are cornerback, inside linebacker and offensive line. The Jets have lost their top two cornerbacks in Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts. They’ve also lost five inside linebackers for at least one game this season. On the offensive line, the Jets have used six different line combinations and four of the starting offensive linemen from Week 1 are either hurt or on the bench.

With all the injuries, the Jets have had to add a bunch of players to fulfill the 53-man roster requirement. The Jets have 16 players who weren’t on the initial 53-man roster back in September.

Even heading into Sunday’s game against the Redskins, the Jets had 23 players listed on the injury report. Say what you want about this team, but when you have this many injuries it’s not hard to see why the Jets are 3-7 on the season.