The NY Jets have a new leadership group in charge and now Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan will be looking at making moves for 2015 and players like Chris Johnson and Percy Harvin could be released, while names like Darrelle Revis, Brian Hoyer and Mark Ingram could be potential free agents options to come in with Geno Smith for next year.
The new head coach and general manager have spoken about Smith and while they have said he likely will not be the starter, he will have the chance to compete. According to ESPN New York, the team is planning to chase Darrelle Revis if he hits free agency and the team also may look at signing CJ Spiller. The team brought in Chan Gailey to run the offense and he helped Spiller to a career best season in Buffalo and could be an option.
ESPN New York also reports that the team could be looking to release Johnson as well as Percy Harvin, as Johnson could save the team over $3 million in cap space. The website reports that Harvin is almost certainly going to be released, as his status on the roster changes the terms of his deal with the Seahawks. The Jets traded a draft pick for Harvin and they will give up a fourth rounder if he is on the roster, while they will give up a sixth round pick if he is not. For a man like Maccagnan that thinks the draft is the best way to build a team, that is no decision at all.
The team has a projected $40 million in cap space to work with and Maccagnan can free up some more with moves like releasing Harvin and other veterans. The team needs more playmakers on offense and while the defense is strong, the secondary and linebackers have some holes heading into 2015. ESPN.com reports that the team could be interested in signing Darrelle Revis if the Patriots don't pick up his player option, while the Bills are also interested.
According to ESPN.com, Harvin could be a cap saving move for the Jets after his trade from the Seahawks, as he is making over $10 million next season. Harvin's salary is non-guaranteed and on top of that, he has draft compensation attached to him as part of the deal and that is why it's likely Maccagnan will get rid of him. Rich Cimini at ESPN New York writes that Harvin will cost the Jets a fourth round draft pick if he is on the roster in 2015 and a sixth round pick if he is not and the way the Jets are built right now, that's really no decision at all.
The Jets cleaned house after last season and brought in Bowles to take over for Rex Ryan and Maccagnan was hired to replace John Idzik. The plan over the last couple years with Idzik did not work and Ryan was fired after four seasons of missing the playoffs. Ryan helped put the Jets back in the conversation with back to back AFC championship appearances, but he missed the postseason each year after that. Geno Smith may not be the answer and the team could look at Brian Hoyer as a free agent option along with names like Jameis Winston and Brett Hundley in the draft.
