NEWSLETTER
The Jets finished 7-10 in the 2022 season under coach Robert Saleh. Now, it’s time for the offseason and there are plenty of questions heading into NFL free agency. The team has a long list of players hitting the free agent market. Here’s what you need to know about the New York Jets free agency.
2023 NFL Free Agents for the New York Jets
General manager Joe Douglas has many needs to fill for the NY Jets heading into 2023. There are positions on offense and defense that need to be addressed such as quarterback, offensive line, and linebacker. The Jets have six linemen who are set to hit free agency on March 15. There are definitely tough decisions to make for the team.
Center Connor McGovern was the anchor of the offensive line and the Jets will consider bringing him back. The offensive line already lacks depth. The Jets gave up 42 sacks in 2022 under offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.
With backup QBs Joe Flacco and Mike White both free agents, the Jets will be looking for quarterback depth and a potential starter. Zach Wilson hasn’t played well in his first two seasons. Wilson has thrown 15 touchdowns and 18 interceptions since his rookie year at the start of the 2021 season. Many experts have thrown out rumors of Derek Carr who last played with the Las Vegas Raiders as being a potential free-agent signing for New York.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and linebacker Quincy Williams are important pieces that give the Jets a tough decision. Williams had over 100 tackles during the 2022 regular season.
Free safety Lamarcus Joyner is the only free agent in the secondary after recording three interceptions and six passes defended in 14 games. Jessie Bates III from the Cincinnati Bengals has been mentioned as being on the Jets radar as a target to replace Joyner.
Unrestricted Jets Free Agents
To be an unrestricted free agent, there are a couple of qualifications. An NFL player must have four or more years of experience and their contract has to have expired or been voided. They can negotiate with any team without any restrictions or draft-choice compensation. Here’s a list of impending free agents for the Jets who are unrestricted.
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco
Mike White
Running Backs
Ty Johnson – RB
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
None.
Centers, Guards, and Tackles
George Fant – RT
Dan Feeney – G
Nate Herbig – G
Connor McGovern – C
Cedric Ogbuehi – T
Mike Remmers – RT
Defensive tackles, Defensive Ends, Edge Rushers
Vinny Curry – DE
Isaiah Mack – DT
Sheldon Rankins – DT
Nathan Shepherd – DE
Solomon Thomas – DE
Linebackers
Kwon Alexander – ILB
Marcell Harris – OLB
Quincy Williams – LB
Cornerbacks and Safeties
LaMarcus Joyner – FS
Special Teams
Greg Zuerlein – K
Restricted Free Agents
A restricted free agent is a player who has played for three or fewer accrued seasons and has an expiring contract. The team can assign a tender to the player, which allows them to match any offer the player receives from other teams. The team receives draft compensation if the player signs elsewhere.
2023 NFL restricted free agents for the Jets:
Nick Bawden – FB
Greg Senat – T
Jeff Smith – WR
Bryce Huff – LB
James Robinson – RB
Salary Cap and Roster
The Jets are over the cap according to Spotrac projections. They will have to make some moves to create wiggle room this offseason and fit their needs. The salary cap is $224.8 million for the 2023 season.
Eyes will be on Zach Wilson’s development in year three. He missed some time in 2022 due to a knee injury. Also, the team has the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In terms of cap hits, CJ Mosley is the highest at $21.5 million while Laken Tomlinson is second at $17.3 million.
There is the potential to clear cap space by cutting veteran wide receivers such as Corey Davis and Braxton Berrios. Some projections say the Jets can save over $30 million in cap space with the right moves. This would give them some freedom on the open market to improve the franchise.
Jets Free Agency 2023 FAQs
NFL free agency will commence on March 15, 2023. It begins at 4 p.m. eastern time. The date signifies the start of the new league year and the end of all player contracts. Many players are set to hit the market and gain free agency status.
An unrestricted free agent is a player whose contract has expired, and they have no ties to their former team. Starting on March 15, they are free to negotiate with any team in the league without restrictions.
A restricted free agent can be extended what is called a qualifying offer. If offered, they are still allowed to negotiate with other teams around the league. Their current team is allowed to match any offer.
There is a “legal tampering” period that begins on March 13. Teams can talk to certified agents but no signings can be made until free agency is official.
