No knife but Mangold still could be cut
Nick Mangold is on the mend, even if his future with the Jets remains uncertain. The Daily News has learned that the seven-time Pro Bowl center will not need ankle surgery after missing eight games in what was clearly his most frustrating season. Todd Bowles and Mangold hinted at offseason surgery after the veteran was placed on injured reserve during the season, but the two-time All-Pro has told teammates that he’s been rehabbing well and won’t have to go under the knife.
But do the Jets want him back in 2017?
Mangold, who turned 33 last month, is scheduled to count $9.075 million against the salary cap in the final year of his deal. The Jets would clear all of that money by cutting him. A team source told The News that the powers that be do not want to bring back Mangold at his current salary ($6.075 million, including a $2.4 million roster bonus due at training camp).
A second Jets source said that the organization has not yet offered a pay cut option to Mangold. (Those discussions typically take place at the NFL Scouting Combine in a couple weeks).
Mangold, a 2006 first-round pick, was an ironman for the Jets before finally revealing some cracks in his armor in recent years. He started every game in his first five seasons and all but two games in his first eight years in the league. The veteran missed one game each in 2014 and 2015 before his body started to break down last season.
Mangold battled a knee injury suffered in Week 5 along with a nagging ankle issue. He missed four consecutive games over five weeks before re-injuring his ankle in an embarrassing primetime home loss to the Colts that ultimately ended his season.
“I love football,” Mangold said in late December about the prospect of retiring. “I miss it dearly. I’m planning on playing. I want to keep playing football, and I want to do it here.”
The Jets offseason makeover began Wednesday when they declined to pick up left tackle Ryan Clady’s option that cleared $10 million of cap space. General manager Mike Maccagnan could free up much-needed cash by parting ways with Mangold, but they should explore bringing him back at a reduced rate.
Mangold has been one of the most respected voices in the locker room for three different head coaches. He’s been invaluable to quarterbacks young and old through the years. He was practically Mark Sanchez’s own personal playercoach during the Jets back-toback runs to the AFC Championship Game in 2009 and 2010.
The organization’s most important question: Was 2016 an aberration or a signal that Father Time has caught up to one of the franchise’s most reliable and productive players of this generation?
“I thought his game was exactly the same (before he got hurt),” right guard Brian Winters said last month after signing a contract extension. “Obviously, the ankle injury is not fun to play on. Obviously, you need your feet as an offensive lineman, or any position, really. That part slowed him down. But before that? Not at all.”
Bowles’ offensive line is in flux with question marks at both tackle spots. Removing Mangold from the equation would further cloud the issue.
Mangold has been a pillar that some people on One Jets Drive believe they shouldn’t divorce. There are others in the building who think it would make more financial sense to bring back (much cheaper) restricted free agent Wesley Johnson, who did a decent job in Mangold’s absence to warrant another shot. The Jets have plenty of tough business decisions on the horizon.