With Super Bowl LI in the rearview mirror, the 2017 offseason officially has begun for the Jets, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-11 year.
This is going to be an offseason of transition for the team, which could part ways with some of its big names. Darrelle Revis is the biggest immediate decision facing general manager Mike Maccagnan. Do they stick with the fading star, possibly moving him to safety, or just cut him outright?
Then there is quarterback, which is the biggest issue the team has. Isn’t it always? The Jets again are searching for a quarterback. They have Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg under contract, but they likely will add a veteran to be the starter until one of those guys is ready.
Head coach Todd Bowles and Maccagnan enter Year 3 of their regime under a lot of pressure. This team has not been to the playoffs since 2010 and regressed badly in 2016. Owner Woody Johnson said he is not giving anyone a playoff mandate, but you have to think he wants to see real progress this year to keep Bowles and/or Maccagnan.
After going for a two-year “competitive rebuild,” during which Maccagnan patched up holes with veterans while trying to develop some younger talent, it will be interesting to see what direction he goes this year. Does he go all out with a youth movement or continue to plug holes with short-term veteran answers?
Here is an offseason primer:
Possible cuts
The Jets are projected to be $7 million-$8 million over the salary cap right now, but they can clear space rather easily by March 9, when free agency begins. Start with cutting tackle Ryan Clady ($10 million savings), tackle Breno Giacomini ($4.5 million) and linebacker Erin Henderson ($2.6 million). That clears $17 million without much sweat.
Then, Maccagnan faces some tougher decisions. Revis is a fascinating case. He is due to make $15 million in 2017, including a $2 million roster bonus due to him March 11. That gives the Jets a deadline to figure out what to do with Revis because there is no way they are paying him $15 million. If they cut him, they would save $9.3 million. But Bowles might feel Revis, 31, still can play, maybe at safety. The Jets then would have to convince him to take a pay cut. He is guaranteed $6 million this year, no matter what, so that would be a starting point.
Revis is not the only longtime Jets star who faces the chopping block. Center Nick Mangold ($9 million savings) and linebacker David Harris ($6.5 million) also could be cap casualties.
Maccagnan has some tough calls at wide receiver, too. If he feels they are ready to go with the kids — Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson, Charone Peake and Jalin Marshall — he may get rid of either Brandon Marshall ($7.5 million) or Eric Decker ($5.75 million), who is recovering from shoulder and hip surgeries.
Free agents
They took care of their biggest in-house priority by signing guard Brian Winters to a four-year, $29 million contract last month. Tackle Ben Ijalana could be re-signed after playing well last year in his first year as a starter.
Free-agent market
The Jets need to restock at cornerback, but probably need to get a feel for the market before targeting anyone. They are unlikely to spend big money on players who have some question marks. Stephon Gilmore, A.J. Bouye, Trumaine Johnson and Logan Ryan are the top projected free agents at the position.
Mike Glennon is a quarterback who makes a lot of sense for the Jets to target. They have shown interest in him in the past, and he could be a good bridge quarterback for them. The price tag is the question. Will he command big money and several years? If so, the Jets could be scared off. I don’t expect the Jets to chase Tony Romo if he is available because of his injury history and cost.
The draft
The Jets can go a variety of directions with the No. 6 pick. They have so many holes to fill. They could take a cornerback here if they don’t find one they like in free agency. Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore is projected as the top player at the position.
If they fall in love with one of the quarterbacks, such as North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky or Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, maybe they go in that direction, but I think they are more likely to fill another need. A pass rusher like Alabama’s Tim Williams makes sense, too.
Beyond the first round, Maccagnan must restock this roster, especially on the offensive line.
The decision
Do the Jets go for a full-blown youth movement that could wind up costing Bowles his job if the team is terrible in 2017, or do they continue to plug holes with veterans, hoping to win 8-10 games while waiting for draft picks to develop? It is going to be fascinating to see which offseason strategy the Jets take.