Free agency frenzy has officially begun…and the Jets, well they’ve been quiet. Only a short while after general manager Mike Maccagnan told the media his team would be extremely active at the official start of the new league year, the Jets have yet to make a profound move.
There was some speculation surrounding the Jets push for former Jaguars WR Allen Robinson, who some say would have made Gang Green’s chances at Kirk Cousins slightly more plausible. However, it was reported early Tuesday morning that Robinson had reached an agreement with the Chicago Bears.
The same situation seemed to duplicate only a short while after when WR Sammy Watkins reportedly agreed to a ludicrous three year, $48 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Final terms of the #Chiefs expected deal for WR Sammy Watkins: 3 years, $48M with $30M fully guaranteed at signing, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2018
Where Do the Jets Turn Now?
Some would disagree, but in reality wide receiver isn’t the most depleted position on the Jets roster. That being said, missing out on Robinson and Watkins isn’t the end of the world. However, the Jets did fall short in the race for the top free agent guard in Andrew Norwell. The offensive line is something the Jets should be focusing on just as much as their search for a new quarterback.
But shake off the nervous sweat, Jets fans. There is still plenty of talent available in this stacked free agent market. The Jets and Maccagnan will make moves…we hope.
Ryan Jensen and Weston Richburg are two big names still available. The Jets need an immediate upgrade at center, which was the blackhole of their offensive line in 2017. Expect them to put an offer out to each and hopefully reel one in.
Across other positions of need, the Jets will likely look to solidify their corners. Another two big names in Malcolm Butler and Trumaine Johnson remain unsigned. There has been much speculation around Gang Green’s interest in both, and inking either one to a fair contract would be a significant start to the new league year.
Then there are the slew of re-signings the Jets have yet to touch. Demario Davis is the sore thumb of them all. Expect the Jets to start dishing out checks to some of their pending free agents as soon as today. These include Davis, Chandler Catanzaro, and Mike Pennel. There are others the Jets may try to retain, but those three seem to be the most likely. On the same note, it has been reported that Austin Seferian-Jenkins and the team have struggled to reach an agreement, and ASJ may be on his way out of NJ.
Jets, Austin Seferian-Jenkins appear headed separate ways https://t.co/7Xab0DipUt
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 12, 2018
And Then There’s Kirk…
With the lack of noise the Jets are making so far in free agency, it’s easy to assume that Maccagnan is solely focused on signing Kirk Cousins. Many have put the Jets second behind only the Vikings in the race for the former Redskins QB, and it looks like it will come down to either the money or the chance to win.
The Vikings offer the latter. Their roster is proven and basically only a quarterback away from repeating as a playoff threat again. With an extremely talented receiving corps, a good run game and an improving offensive line, Minnesota awaits Cousins with open arms.
But the Jets can offer something different…the moola, the dolla-dolla bills y’all.
While the Vikings are reportedly ready to offer Cousins a fully guaranteed $91 million contract, the Jets could top it. Would it be smart? Debatable. But many expect the Jets to throw the everything they can in the face of Cousins.
Now We Wait
Maccagnan will need to stick by his word if he wishes to retain his job as GM. Be aggressive in free agency. If I were to guess, I would assume the Jets make a few decent moves over the course of the next few days. Mac has a tendency to sign players in clusters, so don’t be shocked to hear of the team signing three different players over the course of an hour.
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– Kyle Hirshkind is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @kylehirshkind Follow @FPC_Jets
