The New York Jets are cash strapped. The team will have to get very creative in order to retain much of the team that improved in 2015. They have several decisions to make in regards to who stays and who goes on the current roster. While much of the attention is on Ryan Fitzpatrick and his expiring contract, the running back rotation is preparing to be depleted as Chris Ivory he is not sure a return is in the books.
Ivory proved he could be the work horse for the New York Jets, but a murky ending of the season that saw him get benched in the finale has put his future into question. Ivory averaged 4.3 yards per carry in 2015 and he is going to want to get paid. However, with the running back position highly undervalued in the league, the chances the Jets meet a high contract demand are slim. Ivory is aware he could be playing elsewhere next season.
"I'm not sure what's going to happen," Ivory said, via NJ.com. "I would like to stay in New York if we reach an agreement. But I know the cap space they're working with and everything and the other guys they have to get signed or want to get signed back. But if it doesn't work out, I'm just looking forward to continuing my career elsewhere if it happens to go that way."
While the 2016 season salary cap has not been set yet, the Jets are predicted to have around $20 million at most to spend in free agency. Some of that money will go to Fitzpatrick along with Damon Harrison and Muhammad Wilkerson. It might not go to Ivory. The running back market is crowded this year in free agency. The team could draft young or sign a veteran like Marshawn Lynch or Matt Forte along with Lamar Miller or Alfred Morris.
The Jets are also trying to workout the best route to take with the quarterback position regardless of what happens to Fitzpatrick. According to ESPN.com, the Jets met with quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl like Jake Coker, Carson Wentz and Kevin Hogan. That draws into question the future of Geno Smith who is no longer viewed as the starter of the Jets. Both owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Maccagnan have both praised his talent on the field, but are non-committal to his future with the franchise.
"Geno, I think, had a pretty good year," Johnson said, via ESPN.com. "We will see in the summer how he (does) but I think the coaches are pretty optimistic about what he has learned and maturity. We know he can throw a ball. I think he has taken it to a new level and we will see how it plays out."
While the Jets figure out the future of their roster for 2016, Smith's contract will come into question. While there is not a need to move on from Smith if Fitzpatrick re-signs, the Jets might look to cut ties now and not wait on getting the future of the franchise on the roster.
