There wasn’t much to get excited about when it came to the New York Jets during the 2023 regular season. Their offense was putrid without Aaron Rodgers, as lackluster quarterback play and underwhelming offensive line performance torpedoed any chances they had at competing.
New York’s defense did everything it could to keep them in games, but the ineptitude of the offense was ultimately too much to overcome. Eventually, the time of possession disparity was going to catch up, as the Jets’ defense was constantly on the field and worn down as games went along.
If they could, the Jets would certainly bring back virtually that entire defense. When clicking, it is championship caliber. With a little help from the offense, New York would have assuredly challenged for a playoff spot in the AFC.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Bryce Huff, 2024 NFL Free Agency, New York Jets Updates
Heading into the 2024 offseason, there will be some tough decisions to make. Keeping everyone is a pipe dream, as players will be seeking raises that the team won’t be able to afford, leading to players departing in free agency.
Arguably the most important player for the Jets hitting free agency this year is edge rusher Bryce Huff. In the opinion of ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the decision to bring Huff back or not is the biggest one New York has with their free agents.
“Huff, who made the team four years ago as an undrafted free agent, is likely seeking at least $15 million per year after recording a career-high 10 sacks. The Jets want to keep Huff, their most dynamic edge player, but they drafted edge rushers Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson in each of the past two first rounds. It will be hard to retain Huff, who wants to be an every-down player. The franchise tag is an outside possibility,” wrote Cimini.
Huff has already made it clear that he will not be giving the team any hometown discounts. He wants to maximize his earnings in free agency, and honestly, no one can blame him after going undrafted four years ago.
Based on his production, some teams will certainly approach the $15 million annual salary he is looking for. Can the Jets justify matching that number given the assets they have poured into their defensive front in recent years?
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Bryce Huff, 2024 NFL Free Agency, New York Jets Updates
The answer is likely no. Paying Huff a minimum of $15 million annually after using first-round picks on edge rushers in consecutive seasons would be a tough sell. Teams can never have too many pass rushers, but paying that kind of money for a rotational player, when there are other needs on the roster, would be a poor allocation of assets.
Unless Huff returns on a cheap, team-friendly deal, expect him to move on in free agency. The Jets will look for a cost-effective player to join Jermaine Johnson II and Will McDonald IV in their pass-rushing rotation to replace him.
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