The Jets plan to limit Spencer Long’s stay to one season. They do not plan to pick up the center’s option bonus and will release him, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports (on Twitter). The Jets confirmed the move.
However, the Jets would be interested in re-signing Long at a reduced rate, Mehta tweets. This would seemingly be contingent on Long generating scant interest elsewhere.
After four seasons with the Redskins, Long signed a four-year, $27.5MM contract. Just $6MM of his Jets deal was guaranteed. Long would have pocketed another $3MM if he was on the Jets’ roster on the third day after the Super Bowl.
For the Jets, this move will free up $6.5MM in additional cap space. While Gang Green is not exactly hurting for money, this would push their total beyond $95MM. Only the Colts hold more available funds. A three-year Redskins starter, Long started 13 Jets games but graded as Pro Football Focus’ second-worst full-time center this season. Though, the team liked how he played at left guard in December, Mehta notes.
New York does not have much in the way of long-term solutions up front, and the Jets plan to be aggressive in bolstering their line in free agency.
draft and sign an o-line. the team will never go anywhere without an o-line