The New York Jets entered the 2024 NFL season with sky-high expectations. They banked on the return of star QB Aaron Rodgers and an aggressive roster overhaul to propel them into contention. The mission was clear: make a deep playoff push and solidify themselves as an AFC powerhouse. However, what followed was yet another season of frustration. This forced the organization into a tough offseason filled with critical decisions. After finishing with a dismal 5-12 record and missing the postseason once again, the Jets must now shift gears. That means cutting ties with underperforming or overpaid players—regardless of their stature or past achievements.
Coming into 2024, the Jets envisioned a playoff run—perhaps even a shot at the Super Bowl. That dream quickly crumbled. The team stumbled out of the gate, struggled with inconsistency, and ultimately parted ways with head coach Robert Saleh. Desperate to salvage their season, they swung a blockbuster trade for star wide receiver Davante Adams. The Jets hoped he could spark the offense. Sure, Adams delivered some solid performances down the stretch. However, the move proved futile for a team that was never truly in the playoff hunt.
As the offseason began, the Jets wasted no time in making major changes. They hired former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as their new head coach. In a stunning but necessary move, the organization also announced plans to part ways with Rodgers, officially closing the chapter on their high-risk gamble. What remains is a roster filled with mismatched veterans—players who were brought in to push the Jets over the top but ultimately fell short.
New York’s postseason drought, which dates back to the 2010 season, continues to loom over the franchise. And as the team embarks on yet another rebuild, it’s difficult to find much optimism that 2025 will be the year that streak finally ends.
Here we’ll try to identify the three players who are the New York Jets cut candidates entering the 2025 NFL offseason.
The Jets swung for the fences when they traded for Davante Adams midway through the 2024 season. As we said, they hoped he could be the game-changing playmaker to reignite their stagnant offense. Instead, the move fell flat. Yes, Adams delivered 854 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions in his time with the Jets. Still, he never became the transformative force they envisioned. At 32 years old and with a massive cap hit looming, his long-term fit in New York is in serious question.
Now, the Jets find themselves in a tricky financial situation. They have just over $20 million in cap space and looming uncertainty around Aaron Rodgers’ future. Adams’ $35.6 million cap hit for 2025 is simply unsustainable. This is especially true for a team that is looking to reset after another lost season. A contract restructure could keep him in New York for another year. That would push $25.9 million into 2026 to create short-term relief. However,...