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3 Offseason Moves That Will Backfire on the New York Jets

The Jets can be seen as winners of the off-season, but we'll have to wait until the season's underway to truly judge.

By Nicholas Rome

Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh loosk on during the first
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh loosk on during the first / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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2. Giving Bryce Huff's Money to Multiple Role Players

The biggest free agent the Jets had hitting the market was edge rusher Bryce Huff coming off a ten-sack season. Huff was a vital piece of the Jets' defense, and the team likely should have franchise tagged him to work out a long-term deal. Instead, Huff ended up in Philadelphia on a year deal worth $51 million with an annual average value of $17 million, which was below what Huff was projected to land after a career year.

The issue to many will be how the Jets allocated money near the $17 million a year Huff got or even the $21.3 million the Jets could have franchise-tagged Huff for. The Jets signed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw for $7 million, Solomon Thomas for $3 million, Leki Fotu for $2.5 million, and Isaiah Oliver for $2.5 million. The Jets in all likelihood are paying three defensive linemen $12.5 million to try and replace the production of Huff.

In a year that's clearly the focus as Aaron Rodgers' future is murky, the Jets shouldn't have allowed a pass rusher of Huff's caliber to leave in free agency. The defense will now turn to former first-round picks Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald IV to fill the void of Huff. The Jets have been active in pursuing potential replacements, but their top choice in Jadeveon Clowney is now also gone after signing with the Carolina Panthers.

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