Robert Saleh, the head coach of the New York Jets, responding during a press conference.
After acquiring pass rusher Haason Reddick from the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets may have to cope with unfavorable repercussions.
Following the Reddick trade, ESPN’s Rich Cimini stated that defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers “may be the odd man out.” In a commentary published on Sunday, March 31, he stated, “A $16.4 million cap charge makes his roster spot vulnerable.”
The Jets May Have to Handle JFM’s Contract This Offseason
The $55 million deal that 27-year-old Franklin-Myers signed in October 2021 is still in effect for the next two years.
According to Spotrac, the green and white would devour $11.1 million in dead cap if they left JFM. At just $6.5 million, the dead cap charge for 2025 is far more reasonable.
Franklin-Myers has shown herself to be a valuable asset to general manager Joe Douglas. In September 2019, the Los Angeles Rams released him, and New York claimed him off waivers.
The Rams selected him with the 135th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. JFM was cut from LA after only about a year and a half.
Due to injuries, JFM’s Jets debut was postponed, but the wait was well worth it. According to Cimini, JFM has shown to be adaptable, successful, and “reliable” over the course of the following four seasons.
JFM joined the Jets as a full-time starter in 2021 and has been there ever since. He is positioned around the defensive line formation by New York, playing both inside and outside. For three seasons running, he has played in at least 55% of the defensive snaps.
During his time with Gang Green, Franklin-Myers has racked up over 125 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and seven pass deflections.
Impact of Reddick and Will McDonald’s Plan
The Jets “will take on a $15 million salary cap charge for Reddick, but my assumption would be that the team would immediately restructure the contract by adding void years and paying the majority of the contract as a bonus,” according to Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald. This would postpone the remaining amount until 2025 and lower his season cap hit to roughly $4 million.
Reddick “should be a significant upgrade for the defense as a whole,” Fitzgerald stated strongly. Reddick is a far more complete player than [Bryce] Huff, despite Huff’s age, and the Jets see more logic in him at this position.
The issue with the addition is that it pushes Will McDonald, the Jets’ 2023 first-round selection, to the fourth spot on the defensive line depth chart.
Currently, JFM, Reddick, and Jermaine Johnson are ranked ahead of the previous No. 15 overall pick.
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt referred to McDonald’s acquisition of Reddick as a “net positive.”
It ought to lessen the strain on him to take Huff’s place exactly. Rosenblatt acknowledged that it isn’t ideal “for a first-round pick to be your fourth defensive end, but alas” in the same sentence.
McDonald’s position on the depth chart would rise and he would have an easier chance getting more playing time if the Jets traded or released JFM.
