The New York Jets’ annual list of summer cuts began with Elijah McGuire bidding farewell and Matthias Farley saying “hello.”
Another remnant of the Mike Maccagnan era has reportedly vanished.
The New York Jets have reportedly released Elijah McGuire. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was the first to report the cut. The third-year rusher is set to be the first departure as the Jets and the ret of the NFL will spend the weekend cutting their rosters down to 53 players.
The #Jets have released RB Elijah McGuire, who started three games last season, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2019
The team has not confirmed the release, but a tweet from McGuire somewhat implied the beginning of a transitional period.
In God I Trust!!
— Elijah McGuire (@Mr_Adversityy) August 30, 2019
McGuire, 25, was the Jets’ sixth-round pick (188th overall) in the 2017 draft out of Louisiana-Lafayette. His Jets career ends with 591 yards and four touchdowns over his two seasons. 276 yards and three scores came last year, where McGuire was limited to eight games after sustaining a foot injury during the summer.
Of note, McGuire scored a touchdown in three of the Jets’ final four games last season, including a 27-23 victory over the Buffalo Bills. The victory was secure via a one-yard run by McGuire on fourth down.
McGuire’s career-best game in his fourth Jets appearance as a rookie in Jacksonville. He earned 93 yards on 10 carries, including a 69-yard scoring rush in a 23-20 overtime victory for New York.
With Le’Veon Bell and Ty Montgomery working with the first team in training camp, much local attention was diverted to which of the veteran reserves would remain with the team. Bilal Powell and Trenton Cannon are the available experienced options. International rookie Valentine Holmes also remains on the roster for the time being.
The Jets did confirm a defensive transaction on Friday, adding former Indianapolis Colts safety Matthias Farley, replacing the waived Santos Ramirez.
We have signed S Matthias Farley and waived S Santos Ramirez.
? https://t.co/tayVzhoJeG pic.twitter.com/d1IHGWbAYt
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 30, 2019
Farley entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame in 2016. Over 37 games in three seasons, he has earned 128 tackles and three interceptions. He had five tackles over a trio of preseason games with the Colts. Ramirez departs after earning nine tackles over a duplicate exhibition trio.