Jets spend big money before free agency even starts to keep one of their own from leaving
The first big money of Darren Mougey’s first off season as a general manager is now spent. The Jets are bringing back one of their own. Linebacker Jamien Sherwood has agreed to re-sign with the Jets on a three-year $45 million contract. The deal includes $30 million guaranteed. Sherwood, the fourth-year player out of Auburn […]
The first big money of Darren Mougey’s first off season as a general manager is now spent.
The Jets are bringing back one of their own. Linebacker Jamien Sherwood has agreed to re-sign with the Jets on a three-year $45 million contract. The deal includes $30 million guaranteed.
Sherwood, the fourth-year player out of Auburn and converted safety was one of the lone bright spots for the Jets in 2024. C.J. Mosley was the captain of the defense the last few seasons and when he went out last season with neck and toe injuries, the Jets found a budding star in linebacker Jamien Sherwood. Sherwood led the league in solo tackles for the Jets and led the defense to a third best yards/game in the NFL ranking.
The Jets were likely to have competition for Sherwood’s services if the young linebacker hit the market. The Atlanta Falcons with former defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich were likely to be in on Sherwood’s services as was the former head coach for the Jets, Robert Saleh, now the DC with the San Francisco 49ers.
Sherwood made it clear that he wanted to return to the Jets, and most thought the linebacker would be a $8-$10 million a year player. He demolished that number earning an average of $15 million per season from the Jets. In my opinion, the Jets have a really good player with Sherwood, but it’s a lot of money to be playing an off-ball linebacker. The Jets are going to need a lot of pieces to make this a playoff contender and it’s hard to do with a large portion dedicated to the linebacker spot.
Speaking of which, Quincy Williams is entering the last year of a three-year $18 million contract and will not be too happy to see all this money being given to others in the same group. I imagine there is a phone call coming between his agent and Mougey before camp starts or it is likely we see a hold out.
Meanwhile, veteran C.J. Mosley might retire or could possibly be released. Last offseason, Mosley agreed to a brief extension that keeps him under club control through 2025. By signing that deal, Mosley agreed to a pay cut in exchange for additional guarantees, though just over half of his $8.25MM salary for 2025 is guaranteed. In order to minimize Mosley’s cap hit in 2024, when the Jets were fully expecting to contend, the club tacked on three void years, which means that it will be taking on $16.4MM in dead money if it follows through with a 2025 release.
The Jets have officially begun to try and build a team that can end this 14 year playoff drought. And they started with one of their own.
Jets’ uncanny ability to win the offseason every year may finally be coming to an end
The New York Jets are used to winning. They win every year. The only problem is they win the offseason. Every year a splash move vaults them to the back page headlines and Jets fans get hyped for the season. This year in, year out off-season championship is what brings fans hope. And as I […]
