With the offseason in full swing, difficult decisions are coming for several NFL franchises. While the New York Jets are slated to have $47 million in salary cap space, the team could open up even more if it decided to part ways with certain higher-profile players.
With financial deadlines looming, here are a few candidates that could fall prey to cap concerns.
Percy Harvin, WR
Harvin is set to count $10.5 million against the cap in 2015. Despite being the third highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, Harvin does not produce anywhere close to the equivalent of his dollar amount. The 26-year-old hauled in just 29 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown in eight games with the Jets this season. He's never recorded a single 1,000-yard receiving season or reached double-digit touchdowns.
"Formal general manager John Idzik executed a desperation trade last October that made sense on the risk-reward scale, but the landscape has changed," ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini wrote. "Not only is $10.5 million too much money for a player of Harvin's ilk, but there's also draft-pick compensation to consider. The Jets owe the Seattle Seahawks a conditional sixth-round pick that improves to a fourth-rounder if they keep him on the roster until March 19. The X factor is offensive coordinator Chan Gailey; his spread offense would be a nice fit for Harvin (if that's the system they choose to run). The March 19 deadline allows the Jets to explore free agency before making a decision on Harvin, who hasn't been an impact player since 2011."
Chris Johnson, RB
Johnson will count $5.25 million against the cap in 2015. Although Johnson had a solid season - 663 yards on 155 carries (4.3 average) - he will turn 30 in September and is no long capable of being a lead back. Cutting him now and looking for a more affordable alternative may be the wisest course of action.
"The Jets have until Feb. 16 to decide whether to pay a $500,000 option bonus, part of the two-year, $8 million contract Johnson signed last April," Cimini wrote. "... (Johnson) isn't close to being the player he once was. The Jets can save $3.5 million by parting ways with Johnson. That probably will be the outcome."
Cimini also mentioned linebackers Calvin Pace ($2.25 million) and Jason Babin ($1.625 million) as potential cap casualties.
