ONE THAT GOT AWAY
Jets had hoped to sign former Vikings RB McKinnon before he ended up choosing the Niners
“Jet” nearly became a Jet during a wild and intense bid for the most coveted offensive player on One Jets Drive not named Kirk Cousins.
Gang Green’s pursuit of Cousins dominated the headlines, but the team’s affinity for Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon flew under the radar last week. The Jets engaged in a full-court press to sign the underrated player, according to sources, before the 49ers landed him. McKinnon, 25, drew significant interest, but it ultimately came down to the 49ers and Jets. (The Buccaneers were in the mix as well.)
The Jets believed that they had made strong enough offers to land McKinnon, but there was a sense from both sides that Kyle Shanahan simply wouldn’t be denied, according to sources. In the end, San Francisco doled out a four-year, $30 million deal that included $12 million guaranteed for 2018. Only three running backs (Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman and LeSean McCoy) have a larger annual average than McKinnon’s $7.5 million. On the surface, it was surprising that McKinnon, nicknamed “Jet,” would command such a hefty price tag, but Shanahan saw something special in McKinnon, who was an option quarterback for a few years in college, that made him the driving force to secure the multi-dimensional player.
The Jets saw the same qualities, which isn’t entirely surprising given that Gang Green’s new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates and run-game coordinator Rick Dennison are disciples of Mike Shanahan.
The Jets also had a level of interest in new 49ers center Weston Richburg, who signed a fiveyear, $47.5 million deal, but knew that he’d likely be out of their price range. Gang Green ultimately signed Washington center Spencer Long.
McKinnon’s career stats in four seasons with Minnesota might not jump off the page (4.0 yards per carry and 12 touchdowns), but he offers a varied skill set that will perfectly fit for Shanahan, who was looking to replicate his Atlanta blueprint (Freeman and Tevin Coleman).
The same would have applied for the Jets, who desperately needed an O.W. (offensive weapon).
McKinnon, frankly, would have been that weapon for Bates & Co. if they could have gotten him. He’s a matchup nightmare if deployed properly.
Alas, Kyle Shanahan was bent on not getting beat in the bidding, according to sources.
The Jets’ offers were strong, but no promises were made that they would get him. They simply figured that it would be hard for another team to pay more. Then other teams jumped into the
bidding.
The Niners, also sitting on a mountain of salary cap space, poured in $12 million in guarantees in the first year of the deal. No money beyond this season was guaranteed at signing. It could wind up being a one-year, $12 million pact, but San Francisco is banking on McKinnon being a difference maker.
My understanding is that if the Jets had signed McKinnon, it would not have precluded them from signing Isaiah Crowell, too. A McKinnon-Crowell backfield tandem would have prompted the Jets to cut Bilal Powell, who is scheduled count $4.9 million ($4 million base salary in the final year of his contract) against the 2018 salary cap.
The Jets lost two second-round picks in their deal with the Colts over the weekend, so it’s unlikely that Gang Green will find their O.W. in this draft. Powell’s roster spot appears safer, but nothing is guaranteed.
Shanahan plans on moving McKinnon around all over the field. He would have been a terrific addition as a runner, pass catcher and pass blocker for Gang Green, too.
He could have been that offensive weapon that the Jets desperately need.