New York Jets Rumors: Antonio Cromartie A Cap Casualty?

New York Jets Rumors: After being a part of the Jets’ spending spree last season, could Antonio Cromartie be a cap casualty this offseason?

The New York Jets had a very strong first season under the new regime of Mike Maccagnan as general manager and Todd Bowles as head coach. They were armed with a high draft pick and loads of cap space in the 2015 offseason, turning it into a roster that improved from four wins in 2014 to 10 in 2015.

One of the areas that Maccagnan greatly improved was in the secondary. They brought back Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie after two seasons of being away from the Jets, Buster Skrine from the Cleveland Browns and Marcus Gilchrist at safety. But, with the cap space not as readily available this offseason, Maccagnan will have some tough decisions to make in the secondary.

One of those decisions will invovled Cromartie. With the Jets being so close to the salary cap, and with other areas that need fixing and free agents on the team that need new contracts, Cromartie could become a cap casualty of the Jets this offseason.

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Cromartie is owed $8 million for the 2016 season, a number that may be too tough for the Jets to stomach. Not only will Cromartie be 32 next season, but his 2015 performance did not give much confidence to the team that he will be a viable starter in the league anymore. Cromartie had a tough 2015 according to Pro Football Focus, grading out with a 45.2 grade for the season, making him one of the worst cornerbacks in the NFL.

The Newark Star-Ledger also believes that Cromartie will be a cap casualty this offseason. Here is an excerpt from the article regarding Cromartie’s status for 2016:

"One of those two options is likely for cornerback Antonio Cromartie. It seems highly improbable the Jets will bring him back for 2016 with that $8 million salary cap hit. None of that money is guaranteed, so cutting Cromartie would cost the Jets nothing against the cap. But if they opted to cut him and save $8 million in cap space, they would need to find somebody to replace him. Is Marcus Williams ready? Would the Jets draft a corner? Perhaps. Whatever happens, the Jets surely need the cap space, and Cromartie is coming off a so-so season. He turns 32 in April."

With no money being guaranteed for 2016, Cromartie will be an easy decision to make. If the Jets release him, they will gain $8 million more in cap space, something they could desperately need with free agents such as Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison on the roster.

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Also, with players such as Marcus Williams, Dexter McDougle and former first round pick Dee Milliner. The Jets would be smart taking that extra money and putting it into another position or player, as they have some options at cornerback they can turn to to replace Cromartie.

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