Jets are already out of the Myles Garrett and Cooper Kupp sweepstakes before they had a chance to sign up
The NFL was rocked yesterday when not one, but two big star players announced they could be on the move via a trade this off season. For the New York Jets, it would be best for them to steer clear of both players no matter how much star power they would bring to the Big […]
The NFL was rocked yesterday when not one, but two big star players announced they could be on the move via a trade this off season. For the New York Jets, it would be best for them to steer clear of both players no matter how much star power they would bring to the Big Apple.
Let’s make no mistake about it, Myles Garrett and Cooper Kupp are phenomenal players and they are both still worth top dollar, both on the trade market and financially. I just don’t believe either player is what the Jets need right now for the price.
Let’s start with Myles Garrett. Garrett is 29-years old and according to his statement, he wants off the Cleveland Browns because he wants to win. Do you really think going to the Jets, who are in the throes of a 14-year playoff drought will make him happy?
Garrett is bonafide first-ballot Hall-of-Famer when he decides to hang up his cleats and he still has years to go. He is a true game-wrecker on the defensive side of the ball and the Jets would be lucky to have him. But at what cost?
Garrett has a $19.7 million cap hit in 2025 and a $20.3 million hit in 2026 before his restructured years create a $40.9 million void year in 2027. If he were to be extended, the Browns would smooth out those hits into Garrett's mid-30s and likely into the 2030s.
However, because of those restructures over the last few years, trading Garrett now is almost impossible without a historic trade return. They Browns would eat over $36 million in dead cap this year and then $21.45 million in 2026. If they trade him after March 5, 2025, they'll have paid him another $5 million bonus. Are the Jets really in a position to give up a historic return for a player who likely doesn’t want to be on the Jets anyway? I just can’t see the stars lining up on this one.
In the end, I don’t think it is financially feasible for the Browns to trade Garrett at all. Best case scenario for the Jets, is Cleveland keeps Garrett for another two years and then he signs in the NFC.
Cooper Kupp is a little more intriguing for the Jets. Unlike Garrett, who is requesting a trade, Kupp was informed by the team that they intend to trade him.
Kupp is due $20 million in salary in 2025, with $7.5 million roster bonus ($5 million of which is fully guaranteed) payable in March. Unless the contract is renegotiated, a team trading for Kupp would assume that, along with a $12.5 million base salary and the $19.85 million he is due in 2026.
Kupp was the Offensive Player of the Year and won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021, but he has not played a full season since that dream campaign owing to persistent injury troubles, with those issues and the emergence of Puka Nacua as a true No. 1 wideout making his contract far less palatable for the Rams.
The Jets are in the market for a number two wide receiver to pair along with Garrett Wilson, but the cost to acquire and pay Kupp might be too rich for new GM Darren Mougey to part with.
Per Over the Cap, the Jets currently have an estimated $20.95 million in 2025 cap space free. They could open some more space with releases which are likely to happen, but they also have a significant number of voiding contracts which will lead to dead cap charges.
While I expect Kupp to be on the move, I don’t see the Jets trading for him without knowing who their quarterback will be or what their offense will look like under new OC Tanner Engstrand. Even then, they are more likely to look for a cheaper number two option or someone at the top of the draft than to trade for Kupp.
Aaron Glenn sends a strong message to Aaron Rodgers that the Jets should have sent last year
The New York Jets have their new head coach and GM and they introduced them on Monday to the New York media in a press conference that went very well. While the media and the fans were excited to hear about Aaron Glenn’s philosophy, and the fact that he chose the New York Jets over […]
