FLORHAM PARK, NJ – In a cost-cutting move, the New York Jets launched veteran defender Henry Anderson on Tuesday, who has started 24 games for them in the past three seasons.
By cutting Anderson, who carried $ 9.5 million, the Jets will save $ 8.2 million – the amount of their unsecured base salary. The remaining $ 1.3 million will remain a “dead” charge.
This gives Jets more than $ 75 million in coverage space as they prepare for free agency.
Anderson, 29, was a key player in his rotation on the defensive line. In 2019 and 20, he played more snaps (942) than all Jets’ attackers except Quinnen Williams. Jets can absorb the loss because the defensive line is one of the few areas where their depth is solid.
The Jets made an insightful negotiation to acquire Anderson during the 2018 draft, sending a choice in the seventh round to the Indianapolis Colts. He flourished in New York, setting his career record for seven sacks in the final year of his rookie contract.
Anderson turned his big year into a three-year contract, $ 25.2 million, with $ 17 million in guarantees in the first two years. Since the contract, its bag production has dropped dramatically – just 1.5 in the last 29 games. He played all games in 2020, ending with 42 tackles in total.
Anderson recorded the third highest percentage of run-stuff among defensive players, with at least 500 snaps, according to the NFL NextGen Stats.