New York Jets News: The Jets made a move many people thought was coming today, releasing cornerback Antonio Cromartie
The New York Jets made some major splashes in free agency. With a new general manager and head coach in place in Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles, the Jets overhauled some areas of their teams with player acquisitions. One of those areas that they looked to upgrade was the secondary.
They signed a ton of players to help bolster that secondary, including the return of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. They also added Buster Skrine and Marcus Gilchrst, greatly upgrading a secondary that was severely lacking in 2014.
But, the Jets are hitting the reset button on one of those moves, as they have released Cromartie today. Cromartie signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Jets last season, returning along with Bowles from the Arizona Cardinals. It has been a move that has been rumored for weeks, as Cromartie’s $8 million base salary for 2016 was not guaranteed, so releasing him saves the Jets all of the money on his contract.
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
Cromartie played in 15 games for the Jets last season, but it was a struggle throughout most of it. He failed to record an interception on the season for the first time since his rookie year in 2006, recording only 29 tackles and one fumble recovery. He also surrendered a team-high seven touchdown passes, and graded out poorly for a majority of the season according to Pro Football Focus.
Cromarite left a post on his Instagram thanking the Jets for signing him and reflecting on his return to the team.
"“I would like to [thank] the Jets organization for bringing me back this past season,”I had a lot of fun and I know my first [half] of the season didn’t go well and I thank you guys for pushing and believing in me to keep me on the field so I could finish strong. Today is a sad day for me not because of my release but the guys I became really close [to] in our DB room.”"
With the cap crunch that the Jets are in, it was a no brainer for Cromartie to be released. The Jets have a number of free agents that they need to work out long-term deals with, including Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison. Both are extremely important to the Jets’ success, so opening up as much money as possible makes sense for the Jets.
Next: New York Jets 5 Most Important Free Agents
The Jets are only $13 million projected under the salary cap, so anywhere they can save money they have to take advantage of. The Jets also have some in-house replacements for Cromartie in Skrine, Marcus Williams and former first round pick Dee Milliner.