FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Security Marcus Maye, who turns 28 on Tuesday, received an early birthday gift from the New York Jets: The franchise tag, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Maye, about to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time, is the first Jets player from the defensive side Muhammad Wilkerson (2016) to receive the designation.
The value of the franchise label for a safety is estimated at $ 10.5 million, which will be Maye’s guaranteed salary in 2021 if the two sides are unable to reach a long-term agreement by July 15. Maye, a runoff choice in 2017, won $ 6.6 million over the course of his first four seasons.
General manager Joe Douglas said last week that the organization’s goal is to close Maye with a new contract, but they apparently determined that they would not reach an agreement until Tuesday’s 4 pm deadline. This period can be postponed while the salary cap is finalized.
Maye’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, criticized the Jets last week on Twitter, saying that the Jets “refuse to take care of their best player, captain and MVP voted for by the team”.
Douglas insisted that the harshness will have no impact on the negotiations, saying the two sides were involved in “productive talks”.
“Look, this is part of the business, it is part of the negotiation”, he said. “I don’t see it as affecting our ability to do something with Marcus that is beneficial to him and the team.”
Maye, a four-year starter, flourished last season as an undisputed high school leader. Playing unsafe Jamal Adams for the first time – the unfortunate Adams was traded to the Seattle Seahawks before the training ground – Maye recorded two interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Known for his quiet and constant presence, Maye left the character after a last-second loss at the end of the season to the Las Vegas Raiders, openly criticizing defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for calling for a total blitz in the Raiders’ victory touchdown – a tactic who seemed overly aggressive. The next day, Williams was fired.
The hit on Maye is his lack of interceptions – just six in his first four seasons, which is tied for 28th place among security guards.