UNDER PRESSURE
Jets need to address these issues to satisfy Johnson
JETS fans who have wanted to move past the disappointing 2023 season and get going with 2024 are about to get their wish.
The 2024 offseason heats up over the next few weeks. The franchise tag window opens Tuesday. The NFL Scouting Combine comes next week and free agency opens in three weeks. Dissecting what went wrong in 2023 is over. It is time for the Jets to figure out how to fix things for 2024.
Jets owner Woody Johnson put the pressure on general manager Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh two weeks ago at the Super Bowl by saying he expects much better results this season than the 7-10 record the team has put up each of the last two years.
Douglas has many tough decisions to make. Let’s take a look at what the Jets’ biggest issues are in the upcoming weeks:
WHAT HAPPENS WITH BRYCE HUFF?
There is no question that Huff is the biggest free agent of their own for whom the Jets need a plan. I don’t think the Jets will use the franchise tag on Huff. The number for a defensive end is projected at $20.2 million, per Over The Cap. If the Jets were willing to give Huff $20 million per season, I think they can figure out a long-term contract.
Huff’s valuation is one of the toughest I can remember. There are not a lot of comparable players. He is the rare player the Jets have developed at a premium position. He had 10 sacks last season but only played 42 percent of the defensive snaps. The Jets have used first-round picks on defensive ends in each of the last two drafts. Does it make sense to pay big money at a position where you have already invested draft resources?
It is possible the Jets will tell Huff to test free agency and come back to them, but that is risky. Huff may view another team as a better option for him not just financially but also from a playing-time perspective.
Jets fans love Huff. If the Jets lose him, this will be a public relations hit for them.
WHO ELSE FROM THE JETS IS HITTING FREE AGENCY?
After Huff, the Jets don’t have many other free agents you would call a major priority. The top two are probably their special teamers — kicker Greg Zuerlein and punter Thomas Morstead. The Jets need to work to bring them both back.
They could try to re-sign Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas to keep depth on the interior of the defensive line.
I don’t think they will try to resign big names Mekhi Becton, Randall Cobb, Carl Lawson or Duane Brown.
Jordan Whitehead is an interesting decision at safety. The Jets liked what he did in coverage but he struggled as a tackler last season. If the price is right, I would not rule out a return.
WHERE WILL DOUGLAS BE LOOKING WHEN FREE AGENCY OPENS?
The good news for Douglas is the Jets don’t have as many needs as in years past. The bad news is the needs they do have are glaring and he has no more margin for error.
The top priority has to be finding a tackle. I think the Jets are likely to use the No. 10 overall pick on a tackle but they need two. Mike Onwenu, Jonah Williams and Tyron Smith are the top available tackles in free agency. Douglas needs to land one of them.
Wide receiver is the next priority. Tee Higgins would be the ideal complement to Garrett Wilson but the Bengals are expected to put the franchise tag on him. Mike Evans and Calvin Ridley are the next options.
The Jets suffered last season with a bad backup quarterback. They won’t make that mistake again. Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Ryan Tannehill are all potential freeagency targets.
WHAT ABOUT CAP SPACE?
The Jets are projected to have $1.7 million in cap space, per Over The Cap, so Douglas has some work to do before March 13 and the new league year.
They have some cuts that would clear room and also can restructure other contracts to clear space. Cutting Laken Tomlinson would clear $8.1 million. Getting rid of C.J. Uzomah would clear another $5.3 million. C.J. Mosley ($21.5 million salary-cap figure) and John Franklin Myers ($16.4 million) are candidates to restructure their deals and free cap space.