The 2024 NFL legal tampering period is less than three weeks away.
Beginning at noon Eastern Time on March 11, teams will be allowed to contact and enter into contract negotiations with agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents on March 13, the start of the new league year.
Ahead of that time frame, the Jets will have several interesting decisions to make.
Coming off a second consecutive 7-10 season, the Jets will attempt to improve their team with the hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Currently, the Jets have $1.67 million of salary cap space. That means the team will need to free up some money before free agency, which could come through restructuring or releasing players.
Before looking at the players they could target in free agency, let’s look at who the Jets could re-sign.
EDGE RUSHER BRYCE HUFF
Following the Jets season finale victory against the Patriots on Jan. 7, Huff told reporters that he would not take a “hometown discount” to remain with the team.
“I’m not giving any discount,” Huff said. “I worked so hard. I feel like I owe it to myself, my family, and the people around me to maximize my earnings.
“I’m definitely open to every scenario and every team. I just want to do what’s best for me at the end of the day.”
The Jets are not expected to place the franchise tag on Huff despite many fans on social media clamoring for the team to do so. Last season, Huff was a situational pass rusher who led the Jets in sacks with 10.
Expect Huff to look for a contract similar to a four-year contract with $72.9 million guaranteed that Montez Sweat received from the Bears in November. Chicago will pay Sweat over $25 million annually.
Not sure the Jets want to do that for a player that plays less than 50% of the team’s defensive snaps. Last year, the Jets selected Will McDonald in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Gang Green will likely bank on McDonald having a sophomore season much like Jermaine Johnson‘s in 2023, where he recorded 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks. That’s why I predict Huff will test free agency and not return to the Jets.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE QUINTON JEFFERSON
Jefferson is one of four Jets players whose contract was voided last week (Carl Lawson, Jordan Whitehead, Duane Brown). Void contracts are where teams can deflect salary cap money in the future rather than absorbing the hit now for a particular player.
Last offseason, Jefferson was one of the Jets’ better signings. In 14 games, he registered 34 tackles and six sacks before missing the final three games due to a hip injury.
I expect the Jets to add another defensive tackle in the draft or free agency. However, Jefferson shouldn’t cost them a lot of money and the expectation is he will return.
PUNTER THOMAS MORSTEAD
Gang Green had one of the best special teams units in the NFL last season and Morstead was one of the reasons. He finished 11th in punting average (48.8) and was second to the Patriots’ Bryce Baringer in punts inside the 20-yard-line (36).
Because of Morstead’s excellent punting, he helped set up multiple safeties for the Jets’ defense last season. The Jets have to re-sign Morstead and maintain their elite special teams unit.
KICKER GREG ZUERLEIN
The Jets’ offense was one of the worst in the NFL last season following Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles injury in Week 1. But Zuerlein helped Gang Green put points on the board on several occasions.
Zuerlein converted 35 of 38 field goals last season. It’s hard to fathom where the Jets would be without Zuerlein the last two years. It is a no-brainer to re-sign him to a multi-year contract.
CORNERBACK JUSTIN HARDEE
Hardee is also one of the best special teams players in the league. He did miss six games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury.
But I would be surprised if Hardee weren’t on the Jets next season. He is a favorite of Jets special teams coach Brant Boyer.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE SOLOMON THOMAS
Thomas is a team leader on and off the field, which is why he will likely return. Last year, Thomas had a career-high in sacks (5) while finishing with 31 tackles.
Thomas and Jets coach Robert Saleh go back like four flat tires on a Cadillac dating back to their days with the 49ers. Expect Thomas to return on a one or two-year deal.
TACKLE DUANE BROWN
Following two injury-filled seasons, I expect Brown to retire this offseason. Also, the Jets will be looking for a new left tackle.
TACKLE MEKHI BECTON
After dealing with back-to-back knee injuries in 2021 and 2022, Becton stayed relatively healthy last season. However, he committed 18 penalties and allowed 12 sacks in 985 snaps.
A team will give Becton a chance to start at left tackle. However, I don’t believe the Jets are one of those teams.
TACKLE BILLY TURNER
Turner is one of the players who has a history of playing with Rodgers. The Jets could use a swing tackle, and Turner has a history of that.
However, after using 14 different offensive line combinations in 17 games, the Jets will look to get younger on the offensive line, and I don’t believe Turner will return.
SAFETY JORDAN WHITEHEAD
The case for Whitehead to return is interesting. The coaching staff often told reporters that Whitehead played at a Pro Bowl level the last two years. Last season, Whitehead registered 97 tackles and four interceptions.
But Whitehead has missed tackles and assignments at times. This could come down to if the Jets believe they can sign someone better in free agency.
Whitehead’s signing could go either way, but I’m guessing he will return on a cap-friendly deal.
SAFETY ASHTYN DAVIS
The coaching staff loves Davis, and he showed signs that he could be a productive player after recording three interceptions and 37 tackles. Expect Davis to return to the Jets in 2023.
CORNERBACK BRYCE HALL
Hall is a former starter in the Jets’ secondary. But with Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, and Michael Carter II as the three starters, Hall will likely look for more playing time elsewhere.
CENTER CONNOR McGOVERN
McGovern began the 2023 season as the starting center. But a dislocated kneecap last October ended his season. With Joe Tippmann now the starting center, McGovern’s days with the Jets are likely over.
DEFENSIVE END CARL LAWSON
Lawson was a forgotten man on the Jets defense. There’s no chance he will be back with the Jets.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE AL WOODS
Woods was a big-body veteran on the Jets’ defense who was a run-stopper. But a season-ending Achilles injury last October ended his season. I doubt Woods will return.
SAFETY CHUCK CLARK
Clark missed the entire 2023 season due to a torn ACL last spring. If the Jets decide to move on from Whitehead, Clark could return and start at safety.
WIDE RECEIVER RANDALL COBB
Another Rodgers’ favorite, but the Jets need to get younger and more productive receivers on the field. Who knows if the Jets decide to re-sign Cobb because of his relationship with Rodgers.
QUARTERBACK TREVOR SIEMIAN
After Zach Wilson‘s concussion, Siemian started the final three games of the season. But I doubt Siemian’s return because of the expectation the Jets are ready to spend big to get a quality backup quarterback behind Rodgers.
QUARTERBACK BRETT RYPIEN
It is highly doubtful that Rypien will return.
