John Simpson, Jets
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Former New York Jets offensive lineman John Simpson getting himself ready before an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins.
The New York Jets dodged a bullet.
Offensive lineman John Simpson bolted from New York back to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. They signed the veteran big man to a three-year $30 million contract with $17.5 million of that guaranteed.
Zoltán Buday of Pro Football Focus called Simpson his least favorite signing for the Ravens this offseason.
“Simpson returns to Baltimore after two seasons with the New York Jets, but this time, he will not have center Tyler Linderbaum by his side. Simpson has earned a PFF overall grade above 60.0 just once in his career: in 2024, when he ranked 11th among guards with a 77.3 mark. Unless Simpson can get back to that level in 2026, this seems like an overpay by the Ravens,” Buday explained.
Getting Into the Numbers
Simpson is making $10 million annually on his new deal with the Ravens. According to Over The Cap, that $10 million annual salary places Simpson No. 13 among the highest-paid left guards in the NFL.
The former Clemson product is coming off a down year with the Jets. Simpson finished with a 56.9 overall grade, a 56.7 run block grade, and a 62.0 pass block grade, according to the Pro Football Focus system.
Those grades ranked 54th, 53rd, and 44th at his position among 81 qualified guards.
However, he is only a year removed from arguably the best year of his career. In 2024, Simpson finished with a 77.3 overall grade, a 79.2 run block grade, and a 72.3 pass block grade, per PFF metrics.
Those grades ranked 12th, 9th, and 17th at his position among 77 qualified guards.
That was his first season with the Jets after signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the Jets that included $6 million total guaranteed.
Was Simpson Overpaid?
Yes, Simpson was overpaid.
According to Spotrac’s calculated market value projections ahead of free agency, Simpson was expected to command a two-year $12 million contract. That $6 million annual salary would have placed him No. 20 among the highest-paid left guards in football, per Over The Cap.
Instead, he received a new deal that pays him $10 million per season, which is a significant raise over his previous contract.
It happens every year in free agency.
However, if you’re going to overpay someone, at least make sure you’re getting something valuable. The best ability is availability. Simpson is always on the field playing through injuries and being out there for his teammates.
He has appeared in 51 out of 51 possible games over the last three seasons. That includes the last two years with the Jets and his final season with the Ravens during his first stint in 2023.
Jets Are Hoping to Recreate Some Old Magic
When the Jets originally signed Simpson, he wasn’t highly thought of. So the Jets got him on a discount.
When he hit free agency this offseason, he was a more highly thought-of product, which was reflected in his new contract. The Jets didn’t want to pay Simpson based on this new reality.
Instead, they will try to recreate the same magic with another player from the same well.
When the Jets originally signed Simpson, he was 26 years of age and turned 27 during his first year with the team. This offseason, the Jets replaced Simpson with veteran offensive lineman Dylan Parham. Parham, 26, will turn 27 before the start of the 2026 season.
The Jets are hoping they can catch lightning in a bottle in free agency. They signed him to a two-year, $20 million maximum deal on the surface. However, upon closer examination, it is revealed to be a one-year, $7.49 million contract.