Jets: Three cuts to fix the salary cap
As of May 17th, the Jets have just over three million dollars in cap space. Their roster currently sits at 89 so they are right up against the wall when it comes to financial flexibility. Hidden costs like contract escalators, performance bonuses and gameday/roster bonuses still loom in the distance.
Not to mention, there’s that little saga with a certain facial haired Quarterback that needs to be ironed out. All that said, the Jets are going to need to find some financial wiggle room and I know just where to find it.
Three Jets to cut
Step 1: Cut Offensive Tackle Breno Giacomini
Apologies to all of the Breno fans out there but his cost paired with his production cannot be tolerated. In 2015, Giacomini ranked as ProFootball Focus’ 69th offensive tackle out of 76 rated. Basically, 90 percent of the offensive tackles graded were better. In 2016, he is set to cost the Jets $5,625,000 on the cap. By cutting Giacomini after June 1st, the Jets absorb $625,000 in dead money but a $5,000,000 cap savings. His production, or lack thereof, can be handled by Free Agent signing Ben Ijalana and 5th Round Pick Brandon Shell whose combined salary is under $1,200,000.
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Step 2: Cut Wide Receiver Kenbrell Thompkins
Thompkins’ days as a Jet are likely numbered. To start, his talents rarely show up on the field when he is given the opportunity; and he has had a few of them now with the Patriots, Raiders, the Patriots again and presently Gang Green. And it took the suspension of Quincy Enunwa last season for the Jets to even promote him from the practice squad. Receiver is not exactly an area of need for this squad as it stands today. Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Devin Smith are all safely under contract and 7th Round pick Charone Peake can easily take on the mantle of fourth wideout. By cutting Thompkins, the Jets save $1,671,000 on the cap with no dead money attached.
Step 3: Cut RB Zac Stacy
A throw in during the 2015 Draft, Stacy showed the Jets a little of what can offer, but that was it. A little. The Jets thought so much of it that they went out and signed Free Agent Running Back Khiry Robinson. Robinson fills the Stacy role and more. While Stacy did contribute on special teams, none of it was standout material that would warrant assurance of a spot on the 53 man roster. Cutting Stacy frees up another $675,000 on the cap. It may seem like a small number, but everything counts when the Jets are this tight on the cap.
For those keeping score, we just freed up $7,346,000 and pushed the Jets’ salary cap space over the $10,000,000 mark. All of a sudden, getting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the impossible task it was before. All it took was a little trimming of the fat.
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