The Jets are a few weeks away from one of the most critical offseasons in franchise history. It appears certain they will be hiring a new coach. It is possible they also will need a new GM. They have $100 million to spend in free agency, and they must surround Sam Darnold with some talent.
The focus is going to be on the free agents from other teams the Jets will be looking to spend on, starting with Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. But the Jets also have decisions to make on many players currently on their roster. There are 23 players on the Jets scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in March.
Here is a look at some of the critical free agents the Jets face decisions on this winter:
Quincy Enunwa, WR, 26 years old: Enunwa was the Jets’ leading receiver entering Saturday’s game against the Texans with 38 catches. He was inactive for the game with an ankle injury, which is the only reason the Jets should pause before paying Enunwa. He has been banged up over the last two years with neck, thumb and ankle injuries. When he is on the field, he is a productive piece. Early in the season, he was Darnold’s favorite target. He should be back in 2019.
Jermaine Kearse, WR, 28: Mike Maccagnan acquired Kearse in the Sheldon Richardson trade before the 2017 season, and he was a valuable veteran presence for the Jets that season. This year he has fallen off the map. Kearse has 31 catches for 307 yards and one touchdown. He has been ineffective for long periods of time. It is hard to envision the Jets re-signing him.
Morris Claiborne, CB, 28: Claiborne has been a valuable signing for the Jets in each of the past two years. They have signed one-year deals with him both times. After a bad injury history with the Cowboys, Claiborne has missed just one game with the Jets. He has had some good moments this season, including a pick-six against the Colts. The biggest negative on Claiborne is he seems to commit penalties at the most crucial times. The Jets may be moving on.
Buster Skrine, CB, 29: The Jets spent big money on a secondary makeover in 2015. Skrine is the last player left from that spending spree. After four seasons, Skrine’s time with the Jets feels like it is coming to an end. He commits too many penalties and struggles in coverage. The Jets can find an upgrade.
James Carpenter, G, 29: Another survivor of the 2015 spending spree, but this one along the offensive line. He was a strong signing for Maccagnan and played very well for the first few years of this contract. Carpenter slipped this season before it ended for him a few weeks ago because of a shoulder injury. The Jets need to upgrade the offensive line for 2019, and moving on from Carpenter is part of that.Bilal Powell, RB, 30: One of the most underrated Jets, Powell has been a reliable player for the Jets. They have missed him since he went on IR this year in October with a neck injury. Powell is the longest-tenured Jet, surviving coaching changes and general manager changes. This is probably it for Powell, though. The Jets have young backs Elijah McGuire and Trenton Cannon emerging and could chase Bell this offseason.
Josh McCown, QB, 39: McCown had a good season in 2017, but he has struggled when he played this season. He has done a good job helping Darnold along, but he won’t be back with the Jets next year unless it is as a coach.
Other unrestricted free agents: DE Henry Anderson, DL Steve McLendon, KR Andre Roberts, DB Darryl Roberts, K Jason Myers, OLB Brandon Copeland, LB Neville Hewitt, C Jonotthan Harrison, OL Dakota Dozier, OL Ben Ijalana, TE Neal Sterling, S Rontez Miles, OL Brent Qvale, OLB Josh Martin, OLB Jeremiah Attaochu and WR Rishard Matthews.
Restricted free agents: WR Robby Anderson, TE Eric Tomlinson and DL Bronson Kaufusi.