The Jets and wide receiver Jamison Crowder are haggling over his contract, and that has led to him staying away from the spring program.
Jets coach Robert Saleh revealed there are negotiations ongoing between the team and Crowder. The team is trying to get him to take a pay cut from the $10 million he is scheduled to make this year. None of that $10 million is guaranteed, so the Jets can cut him at any time. They also drafted Elijah Moore, who plays slot receiver like Crowder, in the second round.
“Jamison, obviously, is working through some stuff with his contract with Joe and his staff and his agent,” Saleh said. “[I’m] really confident to get Jamison here quickly, and when we do, he definitely has a role for this team.”
Saleh deflected specific questions to general manager Joe Douglas. He did say that the Jets do not want to part ways with Crowder.
“Absolutely,” Saleh said when asked if he wants Crowder on the team. “Jamison’s definitely got a role here, and we’re excited to have him.”
Time will tell if that changes in the event Crowder balks at taking a pay cut.
Crowder is in the final year of a three-year, $28.5 million contract that was given to him by former GM Mike Maccagnan. Crowder has been the Jets’ leading receiver in each of his two seasons here, albeit on bad offenses. He had 59 catches for 699 yards and six touchdowns last year. He also threw a touchdown pass.
WR Corey Davis sustained a shoulder injury earlier in OTAs and was not participating this week. Saleh said the injury is not serious.
“If it was game week, he’d be rolling,” Saleh said. “He’s one of those veterans that really doesn’t need the reps. We have a lot of young guys on our roster, and he’s perfectly fine, just working through a couple of nagging things.”
Saleh confirmed the Jets had free agent tackle Morgan Moses in for a visit recently. The Jets did not sign Moses, but it indicates the team may not be content to go with George Fant at right tackle.
“Morgan is obviously a fantastic player. He’s got a lot a lot of history in this league and has played at a very high level, and [he is] somebody that we brought in,” Saleh said. “He is a very good football player, and we’re not going to shy away from adding good football players.”
Rookie RB Michael Carter signed his contract Friday. The Jets now have three unsigned draft picks remaining — Moore, Zach Wilson and Alijah Vera-Tucker.