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Jets Free Agent Profile: What to do with RB Frank Gore?

Before Joe Douglas can focus on who he plans on targeting in free agency come March, he’ll have a handful of in-house decisions to make.

The Jets have 25 players set to hit the open market this offseason. Some don’t figure to factor into New York’s plans for 2021, while others it’s safe to assume the Jets would like to keep around for a while. Either way, Douglas has a lot of work to do to put together a competitive roster for Robert Saleh.

Frank Gore was the elder statesman at One Jets Drive last season. Adam Gase’s usage of the 37-year-old in what was his least-productive season in the NFL drew the ire of many, but Gore stayed within himself throughout the year, grinding away on a weekly basis and serving as an invaluable locker room presence.

Gore has indicated he wants to play a 17th season. Should it be with the Jets? Let’s evaluate the situation in Jets Wire’s latest free agent profile.

Pros of bringing him back

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The Jets are very young at running back. Ty Johnson and La'Mical Perine are 23, while Josh Adams is 24. If New York drafts a running back in April, the room will be infused with even more youth. That's really the only reason Gore could even be a thought. Keeping him around for another season doesn't mean he is going to be featured in Matt LaFleur's offense and take touches away from the other tailbacks. Adams, Johnson and Perine all have potential, and it wouldn't hurt to have a veteran in the building that could help guide them to success. Gore has already proven he can be of value in that role.

Cons of bringing him back

Syndication: The Record

As valuable as Gore might be to New York's younger players off the field, he and the Jets are going in different directions on it. Gore's career is in its twilight and his performance in 2020 showed he has little left in the tank. New York needs to overhaul its roster and a running back that is set to turn 38 in May doesn't have much of a place in the plans of a team that is going through a major rebuild.

The Verdict

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Joe Douglas has plenty of tough decisions to make on in-house free agents this offseason, but figuring out what to do with Gore shouldn't be one of them. That's not a knock on Gore, who was the definition of a consummate professional for the Jets in 2020. New York is moving on to the next chapter of its rebuild and the odds Gore could carve out any sort of productive role next season are slim. Gore will likely be able to find a home in 2021 if he does indeed want to play, but his time in the Big Apple is all but certainly up. Read more of our free agent profiles: Marcus Maye | Breshad Perriman | Jordan Jenkins | Brian Poole

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