Along with getting a healthy Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets have several holes to fill in NFL free agency.
Since Sauce Gardner is having trouble making sense of all the moves, let us help.
Said Sauce, “My timeline look like it’s a Madden Franchise going on.”
Jets Country keeps you updated on all the moves – and non-moves – by the Jets, coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.
MARCH 14
JETS TARGET KEENAN ALLEN TRADED TO BEARS – Much to the chagrin of Gang Green Nation breathlessly awaiting for some new receivers for Aaron Rodgers in 2024, another potential target is off the board. Late Thursday night the Chargers traded Keenan Allen to the Bears in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick.
The Jets were thought to be monitoring Chargers’ receivers Mike Williams and Allen. But according to ESPN, the price tag was too rich. Writes Connor Hughes:
“The Jets, like (Diontae) Johnson before, weren’t involved. Allen has a base salary of $18m for this season. Likely why. Jets looking for more bargain buys.”
On to OBJ for NYJ?
CARDINALS TRADE FOR QB, ELIMINATE ZACH WILSON OPTION – With the Cardinals and Falcons executing a rare, player-for-player trade Thursday, the landing spots for Jets’ quarterback Zach Wilson continue to dwindle.
The Falcons, who signed Kirk Cousins earlier this week, are trading Ridder to the Cardinals in exchange for receiver Rondale Moore. Ridder is expected to now be QB2 behind Kyler Murray in Arizona.
The Cardinals were considered a potential suitor for Wilson. But now the teams needing a backup are disappearing.
The Jets gave Wilson permission to seek a trade, and this week signed veteran Tyrod Taylor to be Aaron Rodgers’ backup in 2024.
MARCH 13
JETS RE-SIGNING VETERAN PUNTER – As expected, the Jets are re-signing veteran punter Thomas Morstead. The contract, for two years, assures New York of bringing back two of its best, most important, players from 2023: Morstead and kicker Greg Zuerlein.
MARCH 12
JETS SIGNING CARDINALS DEFENSIVE TACKLE -The Jets are adding a rotational piece to their defensive line, signing former Cardinals’ tackle Leki Fotu.
At 6-5, 334 pounds, he can also play nose tackle and could help replace Al Woods, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last October. Fotu, 25, had 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks while starting nine games for Arizona last season.
He was a fourth-round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2020.
Woods, Solomon Thomas, Quinton Jefferson and Jalyn Holmes are Jets’ defensive linemen headed for free agency.
MARCH 11
ROUGH START FOR AFC EAST – The Jets’ division seemingly got a little weaker on the first day of NFL free agency, with key losses by teams on both sides on the ball. A look at the significant early comings and goings in the AFC East:
*Jets – Re-signed kicker Greg Zuerlein, but the loss of star pass-rusher Bryce Huff is sure to dent one of the league’s best defenses.
*Bills – They re-signed offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and lost center Mitch Morse to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But the big hit was No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis also signing with the Jags. Late in the afternoon Buffalo also lost star edge-rusher Leonard Floyd, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Floyd, of course, sacked Rodgers on the fourth snap last season, rupturing the quarterback’s Achilles and effectively ending New York’s season before it began.
*Dolphins – Miami opted not to place the franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, and he bolted to the Las Vegas Raiders and a four-year, $110 million contract. They also lost starting guard Robert Hunt to the Carolina Panthers. The Dolphins remain over the salary cap and, therefore, handcuffed in free agency.
*Patriots – After trading former franchise quarterback Mac Jones over the weekend, they re-signed receiver Kendrick Bourne, signed former Commanders’ third-down running back Antonio Gibson and told receiver DeVante Parker they were releasing him. Late Monday afternoon they lost linebacker Mack Wilson, who agreed to a contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
JETS’ BRYCE HUFF SIGNING WITH EAGLES – One of the biggest, undrafted success stories in franchise history is gone as on Monday multiple reports say Jets’ pass-rusher Bryce Huff is leaving New York to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Huff’s contract in Philly of three years, $51 million will make him the highest-paid, undrafted, non-quarterback in NFL free agency jhistory.
New York decided to allow Huff to enter the final year of his rookie contract during the 2022 offseason and watched the Memphis star record 10 sacks during the 2023 campaign.
KEY NFL SIGNINGS – On a dizzying day of free agency, the headline transactions are quarterback Kirk Cousins (Vikings) to the Atlanta Falcons, running back Saquon Barkley (Giants) to the Philadelphia Eagles and running back Josh Jacobs (Raiders) to the Green Bay Packers.
BILLS RE-SIGN KEY OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – The four-time defending AFC East champion Buffalo Bills will retain a key member of their offensive line after agreeing to a new three-year, $60 million contract with starting left tackle Dion Dawkins.
