The New York Jets NFL free agency live tracker deserves everything: the transactions, rumors, analysis, and all the involved craziness.
Aggressive rebuild, part Deux?
Mike Maccagnan took his debut offseason as a means to officially crash the NFL open market. The likes of Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie, James Carpenter, Buster Skrine, Marcus Gilchrist, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brandon Marshall add suddenly made Florham Park, New Jersey home via free agency or trade.
The bundle of veterans helped the New York Jets to a 10-win mirage-filled season. Not only did it fall one win shy of a playoff berth, but it also served as a cautionary professional football tale.
Four years later, a similar story may be unfolding.
Never are championships gained through free agency. Rarely are teams built through the open market. It rather serves as the outer layer, the completion of the depth chart that requires an already-set nucleus served through youth.
Top-5 Rankings, Results
2018
- Bears, $233.5 million, 5-11 to 12-4
- Jets, $202.3 million, 5-11 to 4-12
- Jags, $147.8 million, 10-6 to 5-11
- Titans, $146 million, 9-7 to 9-7
- Saints, $142.7 million, 11-5 to 13-3
2017
- Jags, $178.8 million, 3-13 to 10-6
- 49ers, $169.9 million, 2-14 to 6-10
- Ravens, $63.5 million, 8-8 to 9-7
- Bears, $133.1 million, 3-13 to 5-11
- Saints, $126.9 million, 7-9 to 11-5
2016
- Jags, $230 million, 5-11 to 3-13
- Giants, $213.8 million, 6-10 to 11-5
- Broncos, $193.7 million, 12-4 to 9-7
- Raiders, $156.1 million, 7-9 to 12-4
- Jets, $141.7 million, 10-6 to 5-11
2015
- Jets, $182.8 million, 4-12 to 10-6
- Jags, $176.4 million, 3-13 to 5-11
- Dolphins, $155.4 million, 8-8 to 6-10
- Raiders, $150.3 million, 3-13 to 7-9
- Titans, $134.7 million, 2-14 to 3-13
2014
- Bucs, $152.3 million, 4-12 to 2-14
- Broncos, $127.6 million, 13-3 to 12-4
- Giants, $113.7 million, 7-9 to 6-10
- Jags, $112.9 million, 4-12 to 3-13
- Falcons, $110.4 million, 4-12 to 6-10
2013
- Dolphins, $159.9 million, 7-9 to 8-8
- Colts, $142.8 million, 11-5 to 11-5
- Titans, $133.3 million, 6-10 to 7-9
- Eagles, $103.8 million, 4-12 to 10-6
- Vikings, $101.3 million, 10-6 to 5-10-1
2012
- Saints, $220.1 million, 13-3 to 7-9
- Bucs, $162.4 million, 4-12 to 7-9
- Broncos, $152.5 million, 8-8 to 13-3
- Ravens, $135.3 million, 4-12 to 10-6
- Bills, $128.2 million, 6-10 to 6-10
Seven seasons featuring the top-five free agent spending teams equals 35 instances.
- The overall record prior to the big-spending offseason: 228-332
- The overall record after the big-spending offseason: 268-291-1
The win difference turns out as a mere 40 between 35 teams over the last seven seasons. Think about this. The five highest-spending organizations over the last seven seasons have only combined for 40 extra victories via the following season—a little over one per team.
Considering all of the money, all the talent, there’s no way 40 should be the number.
New York Jets Free Agency Tracker
Le’Veon Bell (Acquired, per sources)
The reports rage on surrounding the Jets and free-agent stud Le’Veon Bell.
Reports that the front office is divided on Bell remain unsubstantiated. Conflicting news remains. The same can be said for the team’s actual interest in the running back. In fact, recent reports have surfaced that Bell’s market isn’t as robust as expected.
The most recent report comes from Connor Hughes of The Athletic who suggests the Jets have given Bell a deadline.
The #Jets have given Le’Veon Bell a deadline to decide if he is going to sign or not, per sources. They’re not waiting forever.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 12, 2019
Update: Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 12:30 a.m. ET:
Le’Veon Bell intends to sign with the New York Jets, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The parameters of the deal include four years and $52.5 million with incentives for a max of $61 million. The total guarantees consist of a cool $35 million.
Former Steelers’ RB Le’Veon Bell plans to sign with…the New York Jets, a league source tells ESPN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Le’Veon Bell’s four-year deal with the New York Jets has a max value of $61 million and includes $35 million guaranteed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Le'Veon Bell will sign with the New York #Jets.
ESNY JETS: https://t.co/hpEQZdojaU pic.twitter.com/8PdoFYz8Bp— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) March 13, 2019
C.J. Mosley, ILB (Acquired per sources)
C.J. Mosley has agreed to a five-year, $85 million deal with an incredible $51 million guaranteed. The reported contract makes him the highest-paid inside linebacker in NFL history.
The Jets overpaid for Mosley’s services. There’s no getting around it.
Luke Kuechly‘s average per year sits at $12.359 million. What’s worse is that his fully guaranteed money is a measly $27 million. Bobby Wagner‘s average per year number is $10.75. His guaranteed money equals $8.977 million.
Mosley, 26, will be 27 by the time camp opens. There’s no questioning his talent. The four-time Pro Bowl inside backer is one of the beasts at his position.
With both Avery Williamson and Darron Lee in tow, the Mosley acquisition doesn’t bode well for the latter, who is already rumored as fallen out of favor with the organization.
Jamison Crowder, WR (Acquired per sources)
Jamison Crowder has signed on with the Jets for a cool three-year, $28.5 million deal with $17 million guaranteed.
Crowder will serve as the de facto slot receiver in between Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa. His skill set also includes special teams as a dynamite return specialist.
Anthony Barr, LB (Returns to Minnesota per sources)
One day after the entire world had Anthony Barr headed to New York, reports have surfaced suggesting he’s staying put, via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
Plot twist! LB Anthony Barr has decided to agree to terms to remain with the #Vikings, sources say. He will not be a member of the #Jets after all.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2019
The Minnesota Vikings literally have no money to operate this offseason. The total cap space comes in at a paltry $9 million (mainly due to Kirk Cousins‘s insane cap hit). How they’ll keep Barr remains to be seen. Serious maneuvering will soon commence in SKOL land.
Josh Bellamy, WR (Acquire per sources)
Josh Bellamy will bring serious special teams ammo to the organization. His two-year, $7 million deal with $2.75 million guaranteed made it happen.
Josh McCown, QB (Retirement rumors)
As per his own words, it looks like veteran quarterback Josh McCown is retiring.
Update on @JoshMcCown12 pic.twitter.com/Rt2u6YzRRA
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 12, 2019
Matt Paradis & Mitch Morse, C (Rumored interest)
The Jets continue to circle the wagons on centers Matt Paradis and Mitch Morse.
According to Connor Hughes of The Athletic, Paradis sits atop the Jets wish list at center. Mitch Morse and Ryan Khalil are also involved.
Kelechi Osemele, G (Acquired via trade)
Sending a fifth-round pick to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for two-time Pro Bowl guard Kelechi Osemele and a sixth rounder, the Jets have found their starting left guard.
On paper based on the pure transaction, it’s an excellent low-risk, high-reward move. However, Osemele, 30, is very similar to Ryan Clady‘s situation several years ago.
To ensure it remains a low-risk, high-reward move, Mike Maccagnan must infuse young premium talent along the offensive line.
Jonotthan Harrison, C (Re-signed)
Backup interior offensive linemen Jonotthan Harrison returns on a two-year, $6 million deal.
Darryl Roberts, CB (Re-signed)
Darryl Roberts and the Jets agree to terms.
Jason Myers, K (Lost to Seattle Seahawks)
Updated Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at 2 p.m. ET:
On Wednesday, Pro Bowl kicker Jason Myers signed a four-year deal worth $15-16 million with the Seattle Seahawks.
