Jets Unlikely To Bring Back Kelvin Beachum In 2020?

Kelvin Beachum is under contract with the Jets through 2019, but Brian Costello of the New York Post does not expect him to return to Gang Green in 2020. The club could have cut him this offseason but opted to bring him back to serve as Sam Darnold‘s blindside protector for one more year.

Beachum signed a three-year, $24MM contract with the Jets in March 2017, and he has started every game for Gang Green since he signed that deal. However, he has not been especially productive, ranking 48th out of 80 qualified tackles in 2018 per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. He also tied for the team lead with seven accepted penalties last year and had two more declined. He allowed five sacks, and his run-blocking left much to be desired.

Still, an $8MM salary for an average LT is not terrible, and it’s not as though the Jets needed the salary cap space they could have saved by cutting Beachum. Plus, New York does not have anyone on the roster who looks like an immediate upgrade. Third-round rookie Chuma Edoga may be able to step into the LT job next year, but there are concerns about his core power and maturity, and at the very least, it seems he will need a year or so to develop.

Costello believes new GM Joe Douglas will overhaul the entire O-line next year, and Beachum does not figure to be part of the revamped unit.

View Comments (7)