It’s been an interesting New York Jets free agency period for general manager Joe Douglas. On Day 1 of the legal tampering period, the team was active and aggressive, landing both Corey Davis and Carl Lawson. Clearly, Douglas identified that duo as the long term pieces, at positions of value, that he wanted to build the roster around.
However, outside of Lawson and Davis, Douglas is yet to dish out any guaranteed money in 2022. His plan is taking shape: Save cap space and assets for year 2-3 of a rookie QB’s contract. It’s the Buffalo Bills method. Give Wilson/Fields enough ammunition to grow and succeed in 2021, before going all in the following season.
Joe Douglas is doing one thing incredibly well:
— Luke Grant (@LukeGrant7) March 19, 2021
Keeping space available for year 2 & 3 of the rookie QB contract. That’s when you want to attack.
Davis, Hardee, Cole, Joyner, Feeney will free up around 21M in 2022 cap space. You already have a projected 80M for next year #Jets
For the most part, I think the plan is excellent. The Jets are projected to have $80M in cap space for next year, with only Quinnen Williams to extend. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about the interior OL and the level of offensive talent for 2021. There is a fine line between saving your bullets and hanging your rookie quarterback out to dry. Douglas is flirting with that line and must have unwavering faith in his ability to draft OL.
I’ve said throughout the offseason that the focus should be on surrounding Zach Wilson with talent, whilst ensuring that they push assets to 2022. Joe Douglas seems to agree. I just hope that he hasn’t been too frugal at guard and TE and we see a repeat of the “Darnold cycle”.
