The Jets began to drop their lineup on Tuesday when they released striker Henry Anderson.
The move freed $ 8.2 million in salary cap space for the Jets, bringing the estimated total to $ 76.1 million, the second highest in the NFL according to Over The Cap. The Jets are in a position of great spenders when the free agency officially opens on March 17.
Cutting Anderson was not a move that the Jets needed to make to free up space. They already had enough. But Anderson’s production did not match his salary. Anderson was scheduled to earn $ 8.2 million in 2021, with a salary cap of $ 9.5 million. Anderson had only half a bag in 2020 and had only one in 2019.
Moving from Anderson was an easy decision for general manager Joe Douglas, as the 29-year-old was no longer guaranteed money in his contract. The change was already expected in this off-season.
The big question is whether Douglas will continue to cut the list to free up more room for capitalization. There are no other decisions that would be as easy as cutting Anderson. The Jets could free up $ 10.3 million by launching the wide receiver Jamison Crowder, but he has been the main receiver in each of the past two seasons. Douglas could also make some moves on the offensive line – where facing George Fant ($ 7.8 million in savings), point guard Alex Lewis ($ 5.1 million) and point guard Greg Van Roten ($ 3.4 million) are all possible victims.
Former GM Mike Maccagnan acquired Anderson during the 2018 draft, swapping a sixth-round pick for the Colts for the six-foot defensive striker. Anderson paid immediate dividends, reaching seven sacks in 2018, tied for the team’s high. The Jets rewarded him with a $ 25.2 million deal for three years (with $ 17 million guaranteed) in March 2019.
But Anderson has struggled to make an impact over the past two seasons. A shoulder injury slowed him down in 2019, and in 2020, although he played well against the race, he was not a passing player. He started eight games last season and played in all 16. In three seasons, he started 24 of the 45 games he played for the Jets.
In addition to the $ 8.2 million savings from the salary cap, releasing Anderson leaves $ 1.3 million in dead money.