McCown leads free-agent pack that could be back

Before making any big splashes, though, the Jets must first decide which of their own free agents they want to bring back. A number of key contributors from 2017 could test the open market once free agency begins March 14. From now until then, the Jets will have exclusive rights to negotiate with and re-sign their free agents.

Here is a full look at the list, with thoughts from the players and Todd Bowles on how they see the ensuing months unfolding.

QB JOSH MCCOWN

The Jets’ starting quarterback from 2017 will turn 39 in July and has yet to make a final decision on whether he wants to continue his career. McCown will speak with his family. The Jets, meanwhile, are very open to bringing him back. Bowles said it would be “great” to have McCown for another year. Maccagnan said he would have “no problem” with McCown being on the roster in 2018. The question, of course, is what McCown’s role would be, which will depend entirely on how the Jets handle their quarterback situation. They might sign a different starter in free agency (maybe Kirk Cousins or Teddy Bridgewater) or trade for one (Alex Smith). In that case, McCown could return as a backup. They might draft a quarterback in the draft. In that case, McCown could come back as an initial starter and mentor.

CB MORRIS CLAIBORNE

After an injury-riddled start to his career in Dallas, Claiborne bet on himself this season by signing a one-year deal with the Jets and trying to re-establish his value. For the most part, he succeeded in doing so. Claiborne played in 15 games despite battling through a sprained foot for the second half of the season. He helped anchor a young but improved secondary. He could garner interest from other teams. Claiborne, though, is dead set on returning to the Jets and not testing the open market in March. “I hope to stay here. Hopefully we get something done before then,” Claiborne said this week. It sounds like he’ll be back in 2018.

“I’m happy right here,” Claiborne said. “I love everything about this organization, from the equipment staff to the training staff to the coaches. So why pack up and move somewhere else if you got everything here?”

ILB DEMARIO DAVIS

In the spring, the Jets dealt struggling safety Calvin Pryor to the Browns in exchange for Davis, who played his first four NFL seasons with Gang Green. Davis was a completely different player this year, vastly improved. The Jets cut longtime Mike linebacker David Harris in June, and Davis was thrust into the role of defensive signal-caller. He performed admirably, helping stabilize and organize a unit full of new and young pieces. Davis led the team in tackles (135), sacks (5) and tackles for loss (9).

He largely refused to comment on his future with the Jets in Florham Park this week, other than to say, “I enjoy it here. It’s a great locker room . ... I enjoy this group. I enjoy my teammates. I enjoy my coaches. A great organization, I’ve got nothing but high praise for the Jets.”

When asked if he wants Davis back, Bowles said, “There’s a lot of guys I’d like back, but it’s a business.”

If they move on from Davis, which seems doubtful, Bowles would be forced to start with a different Mike linebacker for the third straight season. He said that potential scenario wouldn’t be a “setback.”

“It wasn’t a setback this year,” Bowles said. “It’s football, it’s going to be a revolving door. People make decisions for their family. People make business decisions. We’ll see. Demario had a good year.”

TE AUSTIN SEFERIAN-JENKINS

The Jets claimed SeferianJenkins off waivers last season, after the Bucs cut the tight end in the aftermath of a September DUI arrest. Since then, SeferianJenkins has remade his life off the field, a journey he’s detailed to the Daily News multiple times this season. With help from the Jets, he stopped drinking alcohol and is nearing a full year sober.

On the field, Seferian-Jenkins started 2017 on a tear, catching at least five passes in four of his first six games. But his production petered out over the second half of the season. He finished with career highs in receptions (50) and yards (357) — commendable numbers, but not the kind that demand a lucrative long-term contract.

Seferian-Jenkins, who recently hired new representation, “absolutely” wants to be back and spoke very fondly of the organization.

“I want to be here, and I really love Coach Bowles,” Seferian-Jenkins said. “I really love him as a coach, as a person. He’s a great person. I love my tight end coach. I love our OC. I love my teammates. I love the ownership, and most importantly, I love the city of New York. It’s a really cool, unique place, and I would like to call it home, not just for however long I end up being here, but just for the rest of my life.”

DE KONY EALY

Ealy was another nice addition Maccagnan picked up off the scrap heap. The Patriots surprisingly released Ealy in late August, and the Jets claimed him off waivers. Despite limited practice time, Ealy made an immediate impact. He batted down nine passes in the Jets’ first nine games, but he didn’t register a single one in the final seven games. Ealy still finished second in the league in passes defended among defensive linemen, trailing only Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan. However, he only totaled one sack and three quarterback hits all season - low numbers for any outside pass rusher. The Jets could let him walk. Ealy wants to be back. “Hopefully everything gets worked out upstairs and I’ll be here for the new year and training camp and keep building on this thing,” Ealy said.

C WESLEY JOHNSON

Johnson, a former fifth-round pick of the Steelers, had enormous shoes to fill this season after the Jets cut longtime center Nick Mangold in February. His play was inconsistent. By the season finale at the Patriots on New Year’s Eve, he was splitting time with backup Jonotthan Harrison. The Jets must upgrade the offensive line in free agency and/or the draft. If Johnson returns, it would most likely be in a backup role.

lll The rest of the list: DL Mike Pennel K Chandler Catanzaro C Jonotthan Harrison LB Bruce Carter OLB David Bass LB Julian Stanford S Terrence Brooks OL Dakota Dozier TE Chris Gragg Carter, Stanford and Brooks are all special teams leaders. Bowles labeled Dozier as one of the two most-improved players on the team this year (the other was defensive lineman Steve McLendon). Bass was tied for second on the team with 3.5 sacks this season. Catanzaro hit 25 of 30 field goal attempts and finished eighth in the

league in touchback percentage.