Jets cleaning house with Harris, Decker
The New York Jets released linebacker David Harris, a stunning move in which they cut the second-leading tackler in franchise history.
Eric Decker will be the next to go. There could be more to come.
On a dreary Tuesday that will be remembered by Jets fans for fond farewells to two favorites, Harris was released and Decker was told he will be traded or cut. The two moves will save the Jets $13.75 million in cap space.
“These are tough decisions to make on all of our players,” general manager Mike Maccagnan said. “Going forward, we have a situation where we have some flexibility now. We’ll see how that unfolds going forward.”
Harris and Decker join what has become a lengthy list of veterans who have been sent packing in the past few months. That includes cornerback Darrelle Revis, center Nick Mangold, wide receiver Brandon Marshall, kicker Nick Folk, offensive tackle Breno Giacomini and safety Marcus Gilchrist, who were cut; Calvin Pryor, who was traded last week to Cleveland; and quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith, who were allowed to become free agents.
Both Harris and Decker participated in practice during organized team activities Tuesday. A few hours later, coach Todd Bowles confirmed that Harris had been cut.
Decker’s departure will save the Jets $7.25 million on the cap, but leaves Quincy Enunwa as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. Maclin release stuns Smith: Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith said he was “shocked” last weekend when he learned the Chiefs had released Jeremy Maclin, depriving Smith of his most consistent wide receiver.
Coach Andy Reid said Maclin can still play, and the timing of the move should allow him to hook on with another team.
Reid wouldn’t go into reasons for the move. The Chiefs had been bumping up against the salary cap and would have had trouble signing their three remaining draft picks. By releasing Maclin after June 1, they saved about $10 million that they can add to the roughly $3.5 million they had available.
Maclin was entering the third year of a five-year, $55 million contract. He was due a base salary of $9.75 million with a salary cap hit of $12.4 million.
His numbers plummeted last season, while his number of drops rose. Maclin had just 44 catches for 536 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.
Briefly: Detroit offensive tackle Taylor Decker has had shoulder surgery and is out indefinitely . ... Tennessee signed wide receiver Mekale McKay and waived injured cornerback John Green. ... Buffalo signed wide receiver Rashad Ross and cut wideout Kolby Listenbee.