Is Today The Day?
Edition #345
Good morning! ☀️
This weekend with free agency on the horizon, the chatter was based solely on one thing and one thing only. When will Aaron Rodgers make a decision?
At this point, it almost seems as though everything is final and we just need the official word from #12, which is what makes this even more infuriating. With the legal tampering starting today, I just have a feeling the news we’re all waiting for will break in the next 12 hours.
All eyes will be on the NFL today and we all know that Aaron Rodgers loves a little attention, so what better time to break it.
✍️ The Jets and Quincy Williams agreed on a new three-year deal for $18 million that could rise to a maximum of $21 million with incentives ($9 million guaranteed at signing). I really like this deal, the money is fine, the length is fine and Quincy is only 26. He made strides between 2021 and 2022, showing a greater awareness and more discipline to go with his thumping hits. Entering year three in the Saleh/Ulbrich defense there is every reason to expect him to make that next jump forward. Good deal for both sides and the Jets returner a starter from their dominant 2022 unit. Now to get Quinnen signed…
🤝 The Jets continued their work to create cap space by restructuring three more contracts over the weekend. Laken Tomlinson, Tyler Conklin, and DJ Reed all agreed to restructures which opened up $15.2 million in cap space. That’s a total of $23.8 million cleared if you count the restructuring of Uzomah’s contract and the release of Braxton Berrios, as well as the addition of Chuck Clark, the Jets have created just under $20 million of cap space.
💲 Looking at Laken’s deal, the Jets could move on from him next off-season if he doesn’t improve on his first year with the Jets, they would incur $10.7 million of dead cap while saving just over $8 million. He’d have to have another bad season for the Jets to do that, but it is possible.
🦁 According to some NFL rumors doing the rounds, the Jets are showing a lot of interest in Jamaal Williams ahead of free agency. The former Detroit Lion was a 1000-yard rusher last year and registered 17 touchdowns, and he did work with Nathaniel Hackett in Green Bay for a couple of years. He’s a big back who’s renowned for his work at the goal line and while the ideal of a Breece Hall, and Jamaal Williams tandem is appealing, I’m not sure that’s where the Jets should be spending their free agency dollars. The Bills and Bengals were the two other teams who were named.
🧀 Mike Garofolo was on NFL Network talking about Green bay Packers WR Allen Lazard who is set to become a free agent on Wednesday. He mentioned that Lazar's is waiting to see where QB Aaron Rodgers lands as his destination will be a factor for Lazard, but he did say that he’ll make the best decision for himself. The Jets will likely be shopping in the WR market and you could do a lot worse than Allen Lazard.
🐬 The Miami Dolphins got significantly better this weekend by trading a 3rd round pick and a backup TE for Perennial Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey. He's got some serious money owed, but if you can afford it, why wouldn't you make that trade considering what you had to give up.
🔵 According to Jeremy Fowler, based on what he's heard from NFL teams, Indianapolis Colts three-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly is available for a potential trade. I know a team who could do with a good center.
⚜️ The New Orleans Saints are not expected to tender RFA wide receiver Marquez Callaway, according to Jeremy Fowler. Returning to New Orleans is still an option. But he’s set to hit unrestricted free agency. He had 1,069 yards and 7 TDs in three years and I imagine he'll have some interest.
🔴 The San Francisco 49ers announced that they had re-signed Tashaun Gipson to a one year deal, which means it's now almost a certainty that Jimmy Ward will be hitting free agency. Depending on the price, I think we'll see some interest from the Jets.
☠️ According to multiple reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to be targeting QB Baker Mayfield early in free agency.
🧀 The legal tampering period starts in just a few hours’ time and there will be a host of moves made pretty quickly. The Jets don't have a ton of cap to work with, but as we've seen over the last few days, space can be made pretty quickly to accommodate signings.
I expect us to concentrate our focus on defensive tackle and locking up another wide receiver. But of course, the key is knowing who our QB will be next year.
If Rodgers has not committed by noon today when the legal tampering officially begins, my first call is going to Jimmy Garoppolo. The Jets simply can't miss out on Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, and Jimmy G…that would be a disaster of an off-season.
I still expect Rodgers to confirm today his intentions of playing in 2023 and his openness to playing with the Jets. If not publicly, then at least privately. This will allow the Jets to concentrate their focus on their positional needs and priority targets.
If you saw Rodger’s interview with Brandon Marshall, it seemed pretty obvious to me that he wants to play this year, so I really don't know what's causing the delays. A part of me is convinced he's waiting to see if there is any chance he can return to Green Bay. But that's just the nature of a scarred Jets fan.
I saw a tweet doing the rounds over the weekend that stated the reason the trade has not been made is due to the Jets needing 60 million in cap space to facilitate the option. That's not true, the Jets only need just under $16 million as that option can be picked up right up to the start of the season and it's prorated.
💬 If you're not yet part of the subscriber chat through the Substack app - Don't forget to download that today as we'll have a running thread for free agency. You can download it by clicking the below.
✋ OBJ held a workout last week and the Jets were in attendance. I asked someone about the Jets interest in the former Giant and his response was basically what I expected. The interest is very real but the cost could get to a point where it becomes uncomfortable for Joe Douglas, and OBJ would only consider the Jets if AR was throwing him the ball. All the more reason for trying to get that commitment from AR as soon as possible. I still expect him to land with the Bills, Giants, or Cowboys, who are apparently the three teams most interested.
🔴 One name to watch early for the Jets in free agency is San Francisco 49ers center Jake Brendel - Jets are expected to touch base with his representation today to see what the contract demands look like. San Francisco is still a main player for Brendel, as are the Texans. He only allowed 1 sack and 12 pressures last season, but he did get called for 12 penalties.
🔵 Another name to watch out for, this time on the defensive side of the ball is former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford. Coming off a bit of a down season, he has historically been a very good run defender and the Jets need some bodies inside. He has some versatility and he had a 7.9% missed tackle rate last year, which was the lowest of his career.
🟠 There was a report out of Cleveland at the weekend suggesting the Browns were interested in trading for third-year receiver Elijah Moore. Here’s what they said about Moore in the article and it’s for these reasons I wouldn’t entertain a trade if I were the Jets, especially if you’re about to bring in a QB who can get him the ball: “The great thing about Moore besides his age and tremendous upside potential is the fact that he’d cost the Browns only $1.472 million in 2023 and $1.879 million in 2024 unless they reward him with a new deal. With 4.35 speed, he’d be a tremendous bargain and weapon at that price, and could probably be had for a reasonable draft pick.”
🌟 Finally, I just wanted to end today’s piece by sending condolences to the Haley family following the passing of Former Jets Director of Player Personnel Dick Haley. Haley was with the Jets for 16 years and left a mighty impression on the player personnel department. His son Todd Haley was a Jets scouting assistant (1995-96) and wide receivers coach (1997-2000) and he shared the news of his dads passing:
"Dick Haley was the consummate professional who had great respect for the game of football and the people who either played or worked in the game," said former Jets GM Terry Bradway. "As a former player, who became a highly successful executive, he took the time to mentor young scouts. He taught them how to identify and evaluate winning players while doing it with class and dignity. I am grateful for time I spent with Dick at the New York Jets. He will be missed by all who were fortunate to know him."
Quincy is a good deal for both sides. Ulbrich a strong supporter of the young linebacker. Jets may not be active during the first week of Free Agency, when the big money flows, but the Jets May pick up a couple of Value FA’s in week two , where the Jets feel there is fit meets price.. I think the only restructure’s available are JFM & Mosley . The three big contract decisions are Lawson, Davis & Whitehead. Think that they are retaining Corey, cutting Lawson in week two of FA, after seeking a trade, and the Whitehead decision is delayed until summer. I’m
I have no idea what to comment on the situation any more. I will say the second the clock strikes noon go get Jimmy g.. I wouldnt even call that ahole to tell him they moving in a different direction. I'll say it again - the Jets made a valient effort to get him. However, if they dont pivot quickey and they end up with a 5th stringer - they look very small and bad. Myself i dont trust Douglas.