Sheldon Richardson

The way the Jets handled Richardson’s contract was much more a pre-emptive move than a reactive one. Richardson publically stated he wanted to be paid “Suh money” when his contract was up, referencing the six-year, $114 million contract defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh signed with the Dolphins in 2015. He also said he wouldn’t take a hometown discount after the Jets drafted him 13th overall in 2013 with the pick they acquired from the Revis trade.

The Jets decided not to wait on Richardson’s future, though, and fielded trade offers throughout the 2016 season before dealing him to the Seahawks in 2017 for receiver Jermaine Kearse and a 2018 second-round pick. There were many reasons the Jets moved Richardson rather than offer him an extension. He had already been suspended twice by the league for substance abuse issues, the Jets had little cap space after signing Muhammad Wilkerson and they were very high on 2015 first-round pick Leonard Williams. Ironically, all three of those players no longer play for the Jets.