Jets face extra contract choices after $250M spending spree

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — When New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn was 25, like Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson shall be when the season kicks off Sept. 7, he signed a five-year, $19.3 million contract extension with the Jets. That was large cash in 1997. It made him the second-highest paid cornerback, behind Deion Sanders.

Primarily based on his expertise as a participant and coach, Glenn is aware of the significance of locking in younger expertise. Gardner and Wilson signed four-year extensions (via 2030) for $120.4 million and $130 million, respectively, final week.

Now, what? New York has a handful of different extension-worthy candidates, specifically Breece Corridor, Jermaine Johnson, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Quincy Williams.

“We'll see,” Glenn mentioned, commenting on whether or not different extensions are on the crew's horizon.

Smiling, he added, “I imply, what did we shell out, 200-something million {dollars}? [We] need to take it simple a bit of bit, however I hope so. With the blokes that now we have right here, I hope we'll be capable of do this.”

NFL contracts aren't at all times what they appear on paper, however there is no denying that proprietor Woody Johnson made a robust monetary dedication to Gardner and Wilson. They are going to accumulate a mixed $128 million in precise money over the subsequent three seasons, in line with Spotrac — the sort of cash that opens eyes within the locker room. It sends a constructive message that possession desires to win, gamers mentioned.

Glenn desires it to turn out to be the norm. He desires to turn out to be a kind of groups that drafts, develops and extends — forming a successful core that may result in sustained success. In fact, previous regimes mentioned the identical factor, however they could not execute it.

Of New York's 9 first-round picks from 2012 to 2019, just one obtained a second contract — defensive sort out Quinnen Williams, who re-upped in 2023 for $96 million over 4 years. Security Jamal Adams and defensive sort out Leonard Williams have been traded earlier than their rookie contracts expired, shipped off for draft compensation. One of many acquired picks from the Seattle Seahawks within the Adams commerce turned out to be Wilson, so not less than the crew parlayed one key participant into a greater one.

“These two guys, they're foundational gamers,” Glenn mentioned of Wilson and Gardner. “And I am glad that we bought the offers executed as a result of I would like them right here for a very long time. I need to set the precedent right here, man. I need to signal all of the gamers again.”

That is not sensible, in fact. Whereas the Jets are swimming in wage cap room proper now (about $32 million), the panorama will change in future years when/in the event that they add a mega quarterback contract to their books. Perhaps that occurs subsequent yr, if Justin Fields has a breakout season. Let's not overlook, Aaron Rodgers will account for $35 million in lifeless cash in 2026 after Glenn determined to chop ties with him.

New York has some robust choices arising. Let's begin with Corridor, who was a second-round choose in the identical draft class as Gardner and Wilson.

As a result of Corridor wasn't a first-round choose, he bought a straight four-year deal, no fifth-year choice, that means he is coming into his stroll yr. He is a gifted working again — seventh in scrimmage yards (2,944) during the last two seasons — however he is coming off a so-so yr and performs one of many lower-salaried positions. The Jets are planning to make use of a three-man backfield, with Corridor, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, so there are questions on Corridor's potential utilization.

All indicators level to them ready till after the season to deal with Corridor's contract, if then. If he has a monster yr, New York can use the franchise tag to maintain him for not less than one other season. Corridor would possibly want to attend — betting on himself to see how his function shakes out in Glenn's three-man backfield.

“I am not likely anticipating [an extension] earlier than the season,” Corridor mentioned. “Now we have a brand new head coach, a brand new GM and, clearly, I wasn't drafted by them. I am not their man. So for me, I've bought to show it on daily basis. I've bought a chip on my shoulder. I really feel like proper now, ‘OK, it is my final likelihood.'”

Like Wilson and Gardner, Johnson was a 2022 first-round choose, making him eligible for an extension as effectively, however his torn Achilles final season disrupted his profession trajectory. It is smart for each side to attend till subsequent yr to debate an extension, giving Johnson an opportunity to rebuild his market worth. The harm might need been a monetary blessing in disguise for the crew; it will've been robust to do three massive extensions in a single offseason.

The Jets professed their religion in Johnson by exercising his fifth-year choice, guaranteeing $13.4 million in 2026. As Johnson mentioned in minicamp, “To me, that is them lifting their finish of the sofa. And now it is my flip to raise my finish.”

Vera-Tucker is at present on his fifth-year choice. The proficient proper guard could be a first-rate extension candidate, however he has but to play a full season. He was derailed by main accidents in 2022 and 2023, lacking a complete of twenty-two video games. The brand new entrance workplace, led by common supervisor Darren Mougey, would possibly want to attend till after the season to assuage any issues about his sturdiness.

Glenn referred to as Vera-Tucker “an awesome participant,” including, “hopefully, sooner or later, we will attempt to speak and get one thing executed.”

Vera-Tucker mentioned, “It might be nice to stick with the crew that drafted me. I feel everyone feels that approach.”

Barring extensions, Vera-Tucker and Corridor will hit free company come March. So will linebacker Quincy Williams, who's coming into the ultimate yr of a three-year, $18 million deal. He has outperformed his contract — he was a first-team All-Professional in 2023 — however his possibilities of an extension have been lowered with the regime change. The earlier administration was identified to be all for re-upping, in line with a supply conversant in their talks; the brand new brass seemingly will wait on Williams, who's coming into his age-29 season.

Backside line: The Jets face the prospect of a major expertise drain subsequent spring.

For now, they'll have a good time Gardner and Wilson, each of whom earned Glenn's rapid belief. Again in 1997, Glenn wanted almost half a season to persuade his boss, Invoice Parcells, that he was price a big-time extension. Glenn, who described himself as a superb choose of character, did not want that lengthy with Gardner and Wilson.

“The movie,” he mentioned, “does not lie.”