Santonio Holmes is ready to be generous. The New York Jets wide receiver will be looking for a nice contract extension in the offseason, but after a down year, the veteran's future is in question. With just 38 catches to his name in the past two seasons, Holmes is saying he will take a pay cut if it means he can remain a Jet for the next few years.
Holmes has pocketed upwards of $15 million over the past two years and does not have much to show for it. He has missed 17 of the last 30 games with foot and hamstring injuries. He was forced to reduce his 2013 salary to $7.5 million, the remaining guaranteed cash from the five-year, $45 million contract he signed back in 2011.
Holmes generosity likely will not mean much. The wide receiver has two year and $17.5 million remaining on that current contract. New York was already predicted to release him in the offseason considering his injury history. His "anything for the team" comments are likely to be met with an eye roll or two as he sounds more like a guy trying to save his career.
Holmes was a big part of the Jets' playoff run back in 2010 which earned him the large contract, but he has yet to live up to that deal. Of course some of his lack of production can be blamed on the quarterback play New York has been putting up with over the past few seasons, but overall Holmes has underperformed. He does not agree.
"I wouldn't agree [with a pay cut] because you can't do anything about injuries and how they occur -- this is the first time I've been injured in my career -- but like I said, sacrifices have to be made," Holmes said, via New York Post. "I'd love to play for him the next couple of years, and even retire here, he and I both."
Despite having one of the bigger contracts of the Jets, Holmes ranks seventh on the receiving list with just 365 yards and touchdown this season. Instead of letting his play do the talking, Holmes has been making headlines for running his mouth. He recently insulted the secondary of the Carolina Panthers saying they were the weakest link on the team. Those comments then backfired as the receiver finished the day with two catches for 14 yards.
Now, the Jets are on the brink of elimination. Holmes said he does not regret the comments and instead went on to say how much he loves his team and his head coach. Holmes told reporters he intends on retiring a Jet, but it feels unlikely the team will let that happen.
