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New York Jets: Chris Ivory Not a Necessity to Retain This Offseason

By Stephen Conway

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New York Jets running back Chris Ivory is one of a few high-profiled players that are free agents this offseason. Despite his success this past season, it would not be the worst thing in the world if New York did not end up resigning him.

Ivory, who made his first Pro-Bowl this year, had his first season with over a 1,000 yards rushing, accumulating 1,070 yards on the ground, to go along with seven touchdowns. The Tiffin University graduate averaged 4.7 yards per carry, fumbling only three times all season. Definitely, some solid numbers for your running back.

However, in just his sixth season, the 6-foot, 222 pound half back has some durability issues. Prior to his time in New York, Ivory was with the New Orleans Saints, where he suffered a major foot injury,that kept him on the physically unable to perform list for over ten weeks. In addition, Ivory suffered multiple knee, hamstring, and shoulder injuries during his four years in New Orleans. According to USA Today Sports, Ivory was on the injury report nine different weeks in his first season with New York, out of a 16-week season. This past year, Ivory continued to battle with hamstring issues, but ultimately had is most injury free year in his six-year career.

While Ivory definitely showed the league his ability as a runner this year, it may be wise for New York to elect not to re-sign him for the amount of money he may ask for.

Due to his Pro-Bowl year, the feeling is that Ivory will likely ask for a large contract, which is something New York is not in a position to do. With other names like fellow Pro-bowler Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, it’ll be difficult to keep much of what helped New York this past year.

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However, you need to address the quarterback situation. Geno Smith is not a starting quarterback in the NFL. Baylor product Bryce Petty still has a bit more growing to do, and there is not much out there on the free agent market. Fitzpatrick, assuming he plays at or near the level he did last season, is your clear choice to lead this team heading into the 2016 season. You need to lock him up with a one-year deal.

Wilkerson and Harrison are the anchors on a young defensive line that can become unstoppable. This past season, Wilkerson led the team with a career high 12 sacks, to go along with seven pass deflections. There is no question that the guy is New York’s best defensive player, and for that reason they need to keep him. Harrison, the four-year man out of William Penn, was a pleasant surprise a few years ago when he earned his way into the starting lineup. A workhorse on the defensive line and a player who handles himself extremely well on and off the field, Harrison needs to be a priority.

If its the right price, and signing Ivory does not hurt the chances of re-signing the players mentioned above, there is no reason why you would not do it. However, given the likelihood Ivory’s price tag will be pricy, along with his injury history, it would not be smart to splurge on him.

If New York does not sign Ivory, they’ll have to explore the free agent market, or draft a running back in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. If they go this route, two names that come to mind are Ezekiel Elliott out of Ohio State and Heisman winner Derrick Henry from Alabama. Both players excelled at the college level, and are physical freaks ready to showcase their skills at the NFL level. Elliott will likely go first ahead of Henry, as he is the better NFL ready prospect, but the 6-foot-3 242 pound Henry is no scrub either.

If New York is able to grab one of these two in the first two rounds of the draft, they will be in good position. Coupled with Bilal Powell, New York will not loose much with the ground attack that was so successful for them last season. Especially Powell, who showed signs of brilliance late in the season, could definitely transition into undertaking more of a workload in the upcoming season. It was evident that New York missed Powell in the last game of the season against the Buffalo Bills, so with him healthy, the Jets are in good shape.

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Not taking anything away from Ivory, but he is replaceable. If you’re thinking about it with that logic, Wilkerson, Harrison, and Fitzpatrick are not. Sign Ivory for the right money or let him walk. It’s a tough decision, but the right one.

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