The Jets are parting ways with Brian Winters.
New York is cutting the right guard after seven years in New York, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A long-suspected cap casualty, Winters’ departure will save the Jets $7.2 million.
Drafted by the Jets in the third round in 2013, Winters started 12 games as a rookie and has been a stabilizing force on New York’s offensive line ever since. Last year, however, he only played in nine games due to injury. He started 79 out of 89 games in his Jets career.
By releasing Winters now, the Jets give him ample time to find a starting job elsewhere, something that should not be hard for him to come by if healthy. New York, meanwhile, is now set to have an entirely new starting offensive line.
With Winters gone, free agent signing Greg Van Roten is the logical replacement at right guard. A versatile lineman, he started 27 games for Carolina over the last two seasons.
