Despite going on a spending spree in the opening days of free agency, the Jets are still in a good position salary cap space wise as a handful of intriguing players remain available on the open market.
According to overthecap.com, the Jets still have $47,268,165 in cap space as the second wave of free agency approaches. That number is good enough for second-most in the league, only behind the Indianapolis Colts, who have $77,041,694 remaining.
Despite signing linebacker C.J. Mosley and running back Le’Veon Bell to sizeable contracts, neither of New York’s two biggest free agent acquisitions will account for the Jets’ largest salary cap hit in 2019. That distinction belongs to defensive end Leonard Williams, who carries a $14.2 million hit into next season.
The fact that Williams and not one of New York’s free agent signings speaks volumes about the job that general manager Mike Maccagnan has done in free agency so far. Maccagnan has added talent at reasonable costs while ensuring the Jets don’t get themselves into a sticky salary cap situation. Mosley’s contract is massive with a total value of $85 million, but he will only account for a $13 million cap hit in 2019 — the second highest on the team. Meanwhile, Bell, the premier player on this year’s free agent market, will have only an $8.5 million cap hit in 2019.
With holes still left to fill, it’s safe to assume the Jets are not done spending just yet. Thanks to Maccangan’s wise salary cap maneuvers in the early stages of free agency, New York still has the ability to go out and add the necessary pieces to contend in 2019.
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