The New York Jets have a significant number of players set to be free agents in 2022. The biggest issue for the Jets is not who they have hitting free agency, but who they bring in to improve their lackluster roster. With one of the best cap situations in the NFL, New York is in a good position to improve their roster in free agency.
New York Jets free agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL season, the Jets have 23 players with expiring contracts. 17 of them will be unrestricted free agents, four are exclusive rights free agents, and two are restricted free agents. All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.
- Marcus Maye | S
- Jamison Crowder | WR
- Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | G
- Alex Lewis | G
- Jarrad Davis | LB
- Keelan Cole | WR
- Morgan Moses | RT
- Dan Feeney | G
- Lamarcus Joyner | S
- Tyler Kroft | TE
- Conor McDermott | T
- Tevin Coleman | RB
- Nathan Shepherd | DE
- Mike White | QB (RFA)
- Greg Senat | T (ERFA)
- Jeff Smith | WR (ERFA)
- Eddy Pineiro | K
- Javelin Guidry | CB (ERFA)
- Tim Ward | DE (ERFA)
- Foley Fatukasi | DT
- Braxton Berrios | WR
- Kyle Phillips | DE (RFA)
Top Jets offensive free agents
The Jets have several offensive starters set to hit free agency. Among them are a couple of offensive line starters and some skill-position players. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Morgan Moses | OL
The Jets’ offensive line improved from one of the worst in 2020 to the middle of the pack in 2021. Part of that improvement came from the acquisitions of Duvernay-Tardif and Moses.
Duvernay-Tardif is a former Chief who opted out of the 2020 season. At 31 years old, he remains a quality offensive lineman. Duvernay-Tardif has expressed interest in returning to the Jets. He made $8.4 million in 2021 but only played in eight games. It’s possible the Jets can bring him back at a discount. They would be wise to do so.
Moses is a former Commander. He’s also 31 years old but has one of the cleanest injury histories you’ll see. Moses has played in every game for seven straight seasons.
Moses made just $3.6 million in 2021. This is a team with $38 million in salary-cap space according to Spotrac. There’s no reason the Jets can’t or shouldn’t offer him an extension.
Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole, and Braxton Berrios | WR
The Jets were fully expected to cut Crowder prior to the 2021 season. Instead, they reworked the final year of his contract to reduce his cap hit. Crowder ended up playing in 12 games and had the worst year of his career.
Crowder made $9.5 million in 2021. Berrios, on the other hand, made just $644,602. Towards the end of the season, with Elijah Moore and Corey Davis hurt, Berrios became the Jets’ de facto WR1. Given how well he played and Berrios and Crowder occupying similar spaces, the Jets should absolutely let the 29-year-old Crowder walk and prioritize re-signing the 26-year-old Berrios.
Cole’s best season remains his rookie year back in 2017. The Jets paid him $5.5 million last season to be a solid, reliable WR3/4. This was before they drafted Moore or knew what they had in Berrios.
If they want to bring Cole back on a cheap, team-friendly deal, sure, go ahead. The reality is they just don’t need him anymore. I expect Cole to play somewhere else in his age-29 season.
Top Jets defensive free agents
The Jets have a couple of defensive starters hitting free agency. They may be preparing to let several players walk.
Marcus Maye | S
After playing out the entirety of his rookie contract, Maye was looking for a long-term extension in 2021. Instead, he played the season under the franchise tag (making $10.6 million).
Unfortunately, Maye’s value went in the wrong direction in 2021. In addition to dealing with some off-the-field legal stuff, Maye tore his Achilles after just six games. When healthy, he’s still one of the better safeties in the league, but the confluence of the above factors may force him to sign a one-year prove-it deal. Look for Maye to explore free agency and only return to the Jets if he can’t find anything better.
Jarrad Davis | LB
Last year, the Jets signed the former Lions first-round pick to a one-year, $5.5 million contract. Even looking back on it with hindsight in mind, I don’t hate the signing. He was worth the shot.
Unfortunately, Davis was unable to turn his career around in New York. He played in just nine games and rarely made an impact when on the field. At 27 years old, Davis will find a home somewhere. I just don’t expect it to be with the Jets.