Familiar faces around the New York Jets locker room will be playing their final game in Week 17 for the Green and White.
A disappointing end to the 2016 season for the New York Jets comes on Sunday, and with it brings the possible departure of some familiar faces around the organization.Any and all moves made by the Jets brass should come as no surprise, as expectations were high entering this season.
So, as we all prepare to say goodbye to 2016, who could the Jets be looking to move on from in the new year?
Many of the top names have already been bandied about. Today, we make sense of it all.
Here they are:
Darrelle Revis
Revis Island was once a remote, desolate place that only the finest receivers in the land would even attempt a visit. These days, it seems anyone with a pair of hands has not only visited but stayed as long as they liked.
Revis signed a five-year, $70 million to return to the Jets in 2015. At the time it looked like the Jets had gotten a cornerstone back after spending two years away. Just a year later, the Jets are experiencing buyer remorse.
A position change to safety could be for Revis if he is willing. Regardless of his acceptance to a position change, the Jets would be wise to ask Revis to take a pay cut, as he is scheduled to count as $15.3 million against the cap in 2017. A number that is way too high for a player on a steep decline.
Prediction: Cut
Revis has always treated his career in the NFL as a business. He has held out on the Jets before because he felt he was playing better than his contract. Don’t expect Revis to do the same the other way around and give the Jets a break next season.
Revis will receive $6 million from the organization if they decide to cut him, which seems to be the most likely situation. No team is going to look at his game film from this year and take him on through a trade.
Sheldon Richardson
Although Richardson has a tremendous amount of skill and potential, enough has been enough. After apologizing to the New York Jets and their fans following an offseason arrest, Richardson has been all over the headlines in New York.
The problem is it’s for all the wrong reasons. From calling out his teammates, to producing Snapchats in the locker room instead of prepping for a game, Richardson has done nothing to make good on his promise of staying out of trouble going forward. He is also going to command a big contract after the 2017 season, something the Jets will be unable to provide him.
Trading away Sheldon Richardson appears to be the plan of action. The New York Jets already tried to trade Richardson before the trade deadline this season, but the first-round price tag they put on him was too steep for the Dallas Cowboys. Trading Richardson for a third round pick, or even in a package for Tony Romo may be an avenue the New York Jets decide to explore this offseason.
Prediction: Traded
It may not be a Cowboys uniform that Richardson rocks next season, but it won’t be a Jets uniform. Richardson’s off-field actions are affecting his on-field play, as his numbers have dropped off the table in 2016. The New York Jets organization would be wise to get what they can for him while he still has value.
Calvin Pryor
Pryor has been a name that has recently entered the news as a player who won’t be with the New York Jets organization come 2017. After showing promise through his play in 2015, he has taken a huge step back in 2016.
Although Revis has been the highlight of the reasons for the Jets secondary failing this season, Pryor hasn’t been much better, appearing lost at times. With an overhaul of the secondary needed this offseason, Pryor could be on the move if they can find a potential suitor for his services.
Prediction: Stays put
The Jets will dangle Pryor out there, but the return won’t be what they are looking for. Pryor should get another chance in a Jets uniform next season to prove his is worth the first-round pick the Jets used on him in 2014.
Brandon Marshall
Marshall should be an interesting offseason story. There have been whispers about the future of Marshall in New York being in jeopardy. With no dead money associated with Marshall in 2017, he could be a candidate to be cut if the Jets are looking to move on for him.
Brandon has seemingly done and said all the right things during his time with the New York Jets after having issues with his former teams. He had a productive 2015 for the Jets, and although his numbers are down in 2016, has proven he can still make plays on the field. His numbers being down this season can and should be attributed to the abysmal quarterback play the Jets have experienced in 2016.
Prediction: Stays put
This could go either way. If the New York Jets decide they don’t need a rebuild following this season, they would be wise to pair Marshall with Eric Decker again next season, regardless of the quarterback may wind up being.
Nick Mangold
Nick is the longest tenured Jet on this list, and all signs point to his departure. Mangold had trouble staying healthy this season, and his absence seems to unglue the play of the offensive line.
Without him, among other starters, on the offensive line, the Jets line has been nothing more than awful. What looked to be an audition for Bryce Petty to take over the quarterback job heading into 2016, the offensive line treated Petty like Adam Sandler in The Longest Yard, and ultimately ended his season with the injuries he incurred.
Mangold is approaching his 33rd birthday, and with no dead money associated with his contract heading into 2017 could be cut to aid in rebuilding the offensive line. His departure would save $9 million against the cap next season.
Prediction: Cut
It will be an end of an era, but expect the Jets to cut ties with Mangold who has battled injuries as of late. There is too much money associated with Nick for the Jets not to cut him, and look towards building up an offensive line for their next quarterback.
Nick Folk
Folk is another member of the New York Jets who hasn’t exactly had a stellar season. After making all his extra points in his career coming into 2016, he has missed two this season.
Folk is currently the sixth highest paid kicker but isn’t performing up to that level. With the number of kickers floating around in free agency, Folk should arrive at camp in 2016 with some competition for the starting job. If anyone can step up and prove themselves to be at least close to Folk’s skill level, it would cost the Jets 500k to cut him and free up $3.6 million against the cap.
Prediction: Cut
The first extra point Folk missed in his career was a big one. The Jets lost on opening day by a single point, and the deflating loss seems to set the tempo for the 2016 season. With plenty of kickers in the free agent pool, the Jets should cut ties with Folk and use the money to address other needs.
NEXT: Rex Ryan makes no sense for Jets in 2017
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