John Michael Schmitz

Edition #343

Good morning!

Being a Jets fan is hard.

That’s something I’ve come to learn over the years and I continue to convince myself that when we do finally experience success, it’ll be all the sweeter.

I'm going to touch on all the QB developments over the last 24 hours in the quick throws section, and there has been a few, but today I wanted to do something I haven’t been able to do through the draft process so far. Focus on one player and one player only, with a feature article on JMS.

🚘 It sounds as though Derek Carr’s decision really did come down to the wire with the now Saints QB speaking to Jets coach Todd Downing on Sunday night and Monday morning according to Jeremy Fowler. For whatever reason, Downing couldn’t close the deal for the Jets, but we don’t know the context behind those conversations, maybe he was asking Derek to wait and the QB just didn’t want to.

Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN

Carr was on the phone with Jets assistant coach Todd Downing on Sunday night and Monday morning as he mulled his decision. Downing and Carr worked together with the Raiders and remained close.

Rich Cimini @RichCimini

Free agent QB heading to the Big Easy after a heavy flirtation with the Jets. https://t.co/WseWNrVR0r

💪 Free agency is just around the corner and the Jets have several starters from 2022 who will be hitting the market. One of those guys is Kwon Alexander, who came to the Jets late last off-season, but put up a very good year registering 69 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 FF and 1 PD. I’m hoping Kwon will be back, but the Jets may be concentrating their LB resources on Quincy Williams.

Kwon Alexander @kwon

Can’t wait to see what’s next for me !!

✈️ Ian Rapoport confirmed that the Jets had been given permission to talk to Aaron Rodgers with negotiations continuing on Tuesday. It was later confirmed that the Jets were flying a contingent out to meet with Rodgers in person. Woody Johnson, Joe Douglas, Robert Saleh, and Nathaniel Hackett were on the plane.

Rapoport later confirmed that he was expecting Rodgers to take his time as he always does and nothing was imminent. Let’s see what Wednesday brings.

Rob Demovsky @RobDemovsky

Update: Sources tell @DanGrazianoESPN and me that a contingent of Jets team officials are scheduled to fly out today to meet in person with Aaron Rodgers.

Rob Demovsky @RobDemovsky

Per @DanGrazianoESPN, talks between Aaron Rodgers and the Jets will continue into today. Story here: https://t.co/kcvsDoWLGr

💜 While the Jets were in the air, the Ravens announced they'd put the non-exclusive tag on Lamar Jackson. That means the QB can negotiate a contract with any other team, if the Ravens decide not to match the contract then the team who signs Jackson would give up their next two first round picks.

🔴 The Atlanta Falcons who were my early favourite for Lamar ruled themselves out immediately.

🔵 The New York Giants agreed to a new 4 year deal with Daniel Jones for $160 million. Not too bad for a player who's been largely inconsistent.

🔵 The Giants also announced they'd placed the franchise tag on RB Saquan Barkley.

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero

Six players ended up getting the franchise tag in 2023: #Commanders DL Daron Payne #Cowboys RB Tony Pollard #Raiders RB Josh Jacobs #Jaguars TE Evan Engram #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson #Giants RB Saquon Barkley

Coming out of Homewood Illinois, JMS was a 3* prospect who fielded 12 offers in total. He never garnered the attention of the powerhouses of the SEC but he did receive offers from programs like Louisville, Cincinnati, and Wyoming before committing his future to Minnesota.