Who the Jets might keep or cut this offseason
Robby Anderson
A few days ago, the possibility of the Jets cutting Anderson would have been unthinkable. He was their leading receiver in 2017 and developed into their greatest offensive weapon.
But Anderson's embarrassing arrest last week changed things. No one could blame the Jets, who are trying to build a new culture, for moving on. And they certainly could; Anderson's contract is not a factor (he's owed only $633,334 in 2018).
However, in the NFL, players with upside and explosive playmaking potential get multiple opportunities. The Jets will likely give him another chance, rather than watch him get it somewhere else.
Christian Hackenberg
The Hackenberg experiment is likely reaching its conclusion. The Jets will almost certainly add a competent quarterback for the long-term this offseason, making Hackenberg expendable.
His contract is essentially inconsequential to the Jets (he's owed $1.3 million in 2018, the team would save about $500,000 by cutting him) making it easy to move on -- well, aside from the bruised pride of admitting that they essentially wasted their 2016 second-round pick on someone who never took a snap.
If Hackenberg doesn't show major signs of improvement during training camp, he could be gone before Week 1.
Bryce Petty
Petty's future with the Jets is even bleaker because if the team keeps Josh McCown and adds another quarterback, Petty would be the fourth quarterback priority after another underwhelming end-of-season audition.
He is owed $843,324 in 2018, and the Jets would save $705,000 by cutting him. It's hard to imagine him returning.
Jermaine Kearse
The Jets would save all of Kearse's $5.55 million cap hit by cutting him this offseason, which means they could part ways with him if they sign a big-time receiver.
But Kearse is coming off a strong season in which he set career highs in catches (65) and yards (810), matched a career best with five touchdowns, and became a leader in the locker room.
Given all that, it's hard to imagine the Jets cutting him.
Buster Skrine
Skrine is set to cost the Jets $8.5 million against the cap in 2018. That's steep for a player who has been inconsistent. The team could easily move on and save $6 million by cutting Skrine.
The only thing is Skrine is coming off his best season as a Jet and established himself as a mostly reliable slot cornerback. For a team with plenty of cap space, it might be worth overpaying a little for that security. The Jets likely keep him.
James Carpenter
It was not a great season for Carpenter or the offensive line, and the Jets would save $4.7 million of Carpenter's $6.8 million cap hit next year by cutting the right guard. But Carpenter certainly wasn't the biggest issue on the line this season, and the Jets have him under contract at a reasonable price. They'll likely keep him.
Ben Ijalana
Ijalana, a versatile offensive lineman, was a non-factor for the Jets in 2017. He played in 11 games and didn't start a single one after playing all 16 and with 13 starts in 2016. The Jets will save $4.75 million of Ijalana's $6 million cap hit by cutting him this offseason. They'll almost certainly move on.
Matt Forte
He turned 32 in December and had a hard time staying healthy this season, playing in just 12 games because of knee and toe problems. Forte wants to play in 2018, but it's hard to imagine the health of a 10-year veteran improving. The Jets would save $3 million of his $4 million cap hit if they cut him, which they likely will.
Muhammad Wilkerson
Speaking of obvious: After two massively disappointing seasons, Wilkerson is set to make $16.75 million with a cap hit of $20 million in 2018.
The Jets will save $11 million by cutting him, and though they'll have to carry $9 million of dead money, they'll be rid of a persistent organizational headache. The Jets surely will cut him.
