The New York Jets have some pressing offseason concerns, as players like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Muhammad Wilkerson, Chris Ivory, Stevan Ridley, Demario Davis and Bilal Powell are all hitting free agency this winter. Fitzpatrick and Wilkerson are expected to return, but there is a chance the team lets Ivory go in free agency despite the running back having a productive 2015 season.
The Jets have a fairly tight cap situation heading into the offseason and that could mean some difficult decision lie ahead for GM Mike Maccagnan. The team is expected to retain Wilkerson, but by doing that it could mean other players will not get re-signed. Ivory and Ridley likely will be allowed to walk, while Fitzpatrick has a good chance to return after the strong season he had. NFL.com reports that there is mutual interest between Fitzpatrick in the Jets about re-signing.
Wilkerson is in an interesting spot, as he is heading towards free agency after having a strong year, but he also broke his leg in the final game of the season. According to ESPN New York, the Jets want to keep Wilkerson and there is "virtually no chance" that the team lets him get to the open market. The Jets can use the franchise tag on Wilkerson and that could be a likely outcome over signing the defensive lineman to a long term deal as he recovers from a broken leg.
Wilkerson likely would be a top target for teams this offseason if he is allowed on the open market and that is one reason why the Jets likely will not let that happen. Wilkerson had 12 sacks last season and over the past three seasons he has combined to record 28 sacks for the Jets. The Newark Star-Ledger reports that the Jets are planning to open contract talks with Fitzpatrick in the "near future" and that the team would like to get a deal done before free agency begins.
Head coach Todd Bowles has said that it is a priority for the team to bring back Fitzpatrick and wideout Brandon Marshall has also said that he wants Fitzpatrick to return. Last season Fitzpatrick set career highs with 3905 passing yards and 31 touchdowns and his return is looking likely. Ivory had a productive season for the Jets last year, but Rich Cimini at ESPN New York reports that "the indicators suggest" that Ivory will not be returning to the team.
If the Jets let Ivory go, there is a chance the teams could go after a running back like Ezekiel Elliott in the NFL draft. Numerous mock drafts have the team looking at Elliott, including from Nick Klopsis at Newsday, Darryl Slater at NJ.com, as well as Matt Miller at Bleacher Report. Elliott is expected to go in the first round and he comes in after having a productive season with over 1800 yards at Ohio State.