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Jets introduce new coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey
The Jets addressed two key needs on the first of free agency, adding a quarterback and two starting defensive backs Monday in the hours after the NFL free agency negotiating window opened.
Now one need stands out above all others: wide receiver. Garrett Wilson is the only proven receiver on the roster after the Jets cut Davante Adams
Will the Jets do anything to address it on Day 2?
We’ll find out together. But wide receiver isn’t the Jets' only need as free agency continues. They have a gap at right tackle after letting Morgan Moses walk for the Patriots, a hole at defensive tackle, and question marks at tight end.
Sure, the Jets still have the draft to deal with these issues. But they can’t rely on April’s rookie class to solve all of it.
So what will they do on Day 2?
Here’s everything you need to know as NFL Free agency continues.
Additions
∗Three hours into free agency the Jets had made only one major addition: new quarterback Justin Fields. Here’s everything you need to know.
∗The Jets also added former Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens, in a surprising move. Here are the details and why it’s a questionable decision.
∗The Jets addressed their secondary again late on Monday, signing former Jags starting safety Andre Cisco. Here’s why that move is less questionable than the Stephens signing.
Key departures
∗Former starting right tackle Morgan Moses is headed to the Patriots on a three-year, $24 million deal worth up to $28.5 million, according to NFL network.
∗Former starting cornerback D.J. Reed is heading to the Lions on a three-year, $48 million deal with $30 million in guarantees, according to The Athletic.
∗Former starting defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Commanders. Jets fans will not be sad to see him go, especially at that number, after Kinlaw a massive disappointment with the Jets last year for less money.
∗Edge rusher Haason Reddick, one of the most disappointing acquisitions in Jets history, is headed to the Bucs on a one year deal worth up to $14 million. Again, Jets fans will not be sad to see him go. They will miss the 2025 third-round pick they sent to Philadelphia for him, however.
All-time Jets bust finds new home
Haason Reddick is heading to the Bucs after his one-year disaster with the Jets. Here’s the latest.
Cap space
The Jets started Tuesday with somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 million in cap space. But they can clear more with contract extensions or restructures. In other words, their cap number shouldn’t preclude them from making a big splash on Day 2.
Big thing to watch Monday...
There has been a lot of talk about the Jets potentially going after Steelers free agent Justin Fields once the tampering period begins. But for that to happen, Fields will have to still be on the market when the tampering period begins at noon.
That’s why Monday morning could be decisive: the Steelers are the only team that could keep him off the open market by signing him to an extension. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll find out quickly if there was fire under the smoke feeding the Fields-Jets rumor mill for the past few days.
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Jets bring back top free agent
Sherwood was the team’s top pending free agent. But the Jets did’t let him hit th market, agreeing to a three-year, $45 million deal with Sherwood (with $30 million in guaranteed money) before a bidding war could get started.
It’s an awesome story for Sherwood, who was picked in the fifth round back in 2021. And it’s a move that solidifies the Jets linebacker room, with Sherwood likely pairing with linebacker Quincy Williams. But it’s an expensive move that also adds a few question marks about how the Jets plan to handle their other many needs after investing heavily in Sherwood.
Friction with a fan favorite?
The biggest question is what it means for Sherwood, who is entering the final year of a three-year, $18 million deal he signed before the 2023 season. Williams was a first-team, All-Pro back in 2023, an apex Sherwood didn’t reach before signing his lucrative contract.
Will he be happy to play out his deal for significantly less than the salary his less accomplished position mate is earning? It’s too early to say but it’s something to watch.
Big name former Jet finds new home
The other big Jets-related news this weekend? Davante Adams has found a new home less than a week after the Jets released him, signing a two-year, $46 million deal with the Rams with a $26 million guarantee.
The Jets were almost certainly never going to give Adams that kind of money, even if both sides had been interested in a reunion. But it goes to show that the Jets fans who thought Adams had a lot left in his tank at age 33 weren’t the only ones of that opinion.
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Andy Vasquez may be reached atavasquez@njadvancemedia.com.