New York Jets linebacker Quinton Coples' diminished playing time could lead to him leaving New York, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.
Last week against the Miami Dolphins, Coples played on 15 of 64 snaps, and the limited playing time is likely hurting his chances at a new contract. Coples was a first-round pick by the Jets in 2012, and the 15 snaps he played this weekend was his career-low.
"Unfortunately, Miami played a lot of sub-packages, said Jets head coach Todd Bowles, via ESPN. "(Leger) Douzable went out to play some end and we had some packages for different people, and the package they kept us in just didn't involve Coples. It has nothing to do with his play or the guys taking his place."
The question is why Bowles and the Jets gave rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin more snaps than Coples. Mauldin and Coples are both pass rushers, and it seems as though the Jets are seeing what they have from other players outside of Coples.
Sheldon Richardson is due to make his return from suspension this week, and with another pass rusher on the field, the Jets may elect to use linebackers who are better in pass coverage then Coples.
The Jets exercised their fifth-year option to keep Coples till 2016, but it's not fully guaranteed until next offseason. Coples has 6.5 sacks last season, but his numbers will likely continue to diminish without playing time, and that could lead to his departure from New York in the future.
