Joe Douglas enters his first offseason as Jets general manager with a lot of questions surrounding the team.
He didn’t acquire most of the players on the roster and probably isn’t as invested in them as the previous regime. Douglas inherited a flawed team, both in the contracts of some of its players as well as the production from those players. This will be his time to take a long look at the books and determine who is worth the money they’re being paid and who isn’t.
The Jets have until March 18 to decide which players they’ll keep prior to the beginning of free agency and the 2020 league year. The Jets currently have the 10th-most cap space in the league at $56 million, per Spotrac, and that number will grow when Douglas decides to cut some big-money contracts early.
With that in mind, here are the top-10 cap hits for the Jets in 2020 and the likelihood they remain on the roster.
ILB C.J. Mosley – $17.5 million
The Jets signed Mosley to an exorbitant five-year, $85 million contract last offseason to pair with inside linebacker Avery Williamson in the middle of their defense. Mosley appeared perfect for that role for exactly one half of football. In Week 1 vs. Buffalo, New York held the Bills scoreless through the first half before Mosley injured his groin and missed the rest of the game. The Jets defense fell apart without Mosley, who missed 14 total games in 2019 with the injury despite an attempt to return.
The Jets gave Mosley $51 million when they signed him and would eat over $42 million in dead cap if they decided to cut bait after one year. Even with the emergence of rookie Blake Cashman, Mosely is safe from the chopping block.
Verdict: Safe
RB Le’Veon Bell – $15.5 million
This is a tricky one for the Jets. Le’Veon Bell had one of worst seasons of his career and isn’t worth all the money the Jets are paying him, but they also can’t really afford to let him go one year after signing him to a four-year, $52.5 million contract because he has a $17 million cap hit in 2020.
Bell finished with 1,250 combined yards and four touchdowns and saw his fewest touches with at least 13 games played since his rookie year in 2015. The Jets could try to trade Bell, but likely wouldn’t get much in return considering his contract.
Verdict: Safe
CB Trumaine Johnson – $15 million
Johnson might be the Jets’ worst signing ever. Just two years after the Jets gave him a five-year, $72.5 million contract with $45 million in guaranteed money, they’re already looking to cut him.
The Jets will eat about $20 million in dead cap over two years when they cut Johnson, but that is worth it considering how poor he played during his time in New York. The sooner they cut bait, the better their secondary will be, especially considering how well Bless Austin played when Johnson landed on injured reserve.
Verdict: He’s a goner
WR Jamison Crowder – $10 million
Crowder quickly became Sam Darnold’s favorite target in 2019 and there’s no reason to believe that will change next season with Robby Anderson’s impending free agency. The slot wideout led the team with 78 receptions for 833 yards and six touchdowns this past season after the Jets gave him a three-year, $28.5 million.
He’s the perfect wide receiver in an Adam Gase offense and the Jets will need him in 2020 if they want to improve on their 7-9 record, especially if Anderson walks and they don’t find a suitable replacement on the outside.
Verdict: Safe
ILB Avery Williamson – $8.5 million
Williamson had a tremendous first season for the Jets in 2018, but a preseason ACL injury derailed his 2019 season before it even started. Now, the Jets are looking at a post-ACL Williamson with $8.5 million on the books in 2020. They’ll only eat $2 million in dead cap if they cut Williamson, who signed a three-year, $22.5 million deal in 2018.
Considering the rise of Blake Cashman, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Jets release Williamson before his contract hits their books. Unless Gregg Williams feels a Williamson-Mosley duo will benefit the team’s 2020 goals, Williamson should be a cap casualty before the season begins.
Verdict: Likely cut
DE Henry Anderson – $8.3 million
The Jets overpaid for Anderson, who got a three-year, $25.2 million deal following a career-high seven sacks in 2018. He only tallied one sack in 2019 – his lowest since his rookie season – and failed to live up to the expectations of his contract. New York will likely keep him around for another season considering his $9.66 million dead cap hit, but his odds of sticking around past 2020 as slim if he doesn’t perform.
Verdict: Safe
QB Sam Darnold – $8.2 million
Darnold is the Jets’ franchise quarterback until he gives them a reason not to believe it. The fact that he sits seventh on this list is a blessing considering his position and the amount of bad contracts on this team. Things will get interesting in 2021 when the Jets will likely begin contract negotiations with Darnold.
Verdict: Safe
WR Quincy Enunwa – $7.8 million
The Jets gave Enunwa a new four-year, $36 million contract after the 2018 season despite major injury concerns, and sadly the 27-year-old wideout suffered another devastating neck injury that cost him most of the season. He has the ability to be a solid contributor for the Jets, but hasn’t been able to stay healthy throughout his young career.
Enunwa’s security hinges on his health. If he comes back at full strength, the Jets could absolutely use him on offense. If not, New York would be on the hook for about $12 million if they cut him one year into his new deal.
Verdict: On the buddle
DT Quinnen Williams – $7.4 million
The Jets drafted Williams last April. He’s not going anywhere. Though he didn’t live up to his draft position at No. 3, Williams flashed a lot of potential and could become a nice piece for Gregg Williams’ defense in the years to come. He has a lot of development, but at 22 years old, the Jets can afford to wait for Williams to come into his own.
Verdict: Safe
G Brian Winters – $7.5 million
Winters is in the final year of the four-year, $29 million contract he signed in 2016 and will likely be released before his eighth season in New York. He’s been a solid guard on the Jets offensive line, but has battled injuries and shouldn’t be considered a key factor in the Jets’ long-term plans. He has no real ties to Joe Douglas or Adam Gase, who both will look to upgrade the entire offensive line. Winters is a good veteran lineman but is expendable given the Jets’ desire to build a better overall roster.
Verdict: Likely cut
