It’s time to look forward to the offseason! The New York Jets finished the regular season 5-11 and secured the 6th pick in the 2018 draft. Gang Green has roughly $80 million to spend this offseason which is the fourth most in the NFL. Which guys are worth bringing back? Josh McCown, Demario Davis, Kony Ealy, Austin Seferien- Jenkins and Morris Claiborne are all free agents. Chandler Catanzaro and Wesley Johnson are also free agents.
The Jets may draft a quarterback this year and will need a veteran presence to mentor that draft pick. Josh McCown is 38 years old but would be a perfect mentor. In 13 games this year, Josh McCown threw for 2926 yards, 18 touchdowns and threw 9 interceptions. Ideally, a 1 year $4-6 million deal should get McCown back in New York.
What a career year for Demario Davis who arguably should have been a Pro Bowler. He started every game for the Jets, had 135 tackles, 5 sacks and is a leader in the locker room. Davis is 29 years old and signing him to a multi- year deal should be a no brainer for the Jets. Kony Ealy could possibly be Muhammed Wilkerson’s replacement next year if Wilkerson is cut. Ealy played very well with Leonard Williams and finished the year with 14 tackles and 1 sack. Kony Ealy is definitely worth bringing back for 2 years.
Austin Seferian- Jenkins had a breakout year with Gang Green and is only 25 years old. He’s just starting to scratch the surface of his potential and the Jets would be stupid to not bring him back. Seferian- Jenkins reportedly turned down a 2 year $8 million deal. Austin Seferian- Jenkins put up the best numbers of his career while turning his life around in 2017.
I personally would only resign Morris Claiborne for the right price. Claiborne missed only one game and as is the Jets are thin at the cornerback position. As for Wesley Johnson and Chandler Catanzaro, the both were disappointing this season. Johnson couldn’t fill Nick Mangold’s shoes and take the next step he had to. Be it in the draft or free agency, the Jets should look to upgrade the center spot. Catanzaro was average and the Jets should monitor free agency and NFL Draft for improvement. Catanzaro is at least a good back up plan for the teams kicker.