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New York Jets News & Rumors

RB Tarik Cohen Retires

August 1st, 2024 at 10:32am CST by Adam La Rose

Tarik Cohen‘s 2024 comeback bid has fallen short. The veteran running back informed the Jets on Thursday that he is retiring, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Cohen had a successful stint with the Bears to begin his career. The former fourth-rounder made an immediate impact in the return game during his rookie season, totaling 1,578 return yards. The following year, he earned a Pro Bowl nod and first-team All-Pro acclaim for his abilities as a punt returner. Injuries have derailed his ability to remain a strong third phase contributor and to return to action, however.

An ACL tear suffered in 2020 limited Cohen to just three game that year, and he has not managed to make a regular season appearance since then. The 29-year-old appeared set for a return to action in 2022, but a torn Achilles set him back in that regard once again. Cohen saw time on the Panthers’ practice squad last year before he took a deal with the Jets in May.

That pact was aimed at allowing him to thrive once more as a returner. The NFL’s new kickoff rules are expected to increase the rate of runbacks, and a number of teams have made free agent additions with that in mind. Instead of continuing to vie for the return job in New York, Cohen will hang up his cleats. The Jets primarily used Xavier Gipson as their returner last season, and today’s news means he could remain in that role for the 2024 season.

Cohen’s NFL career will come to an end after 52 combined regular and postseason appearances. Thanks in large part to the Bears extension he signed in 2020, his career earnings stand at roughly $14.7MM. The 2024 campaign could have offered the opportunity to land a roster spot with the Jets or, later, another team. In the wake of his injuries, however, Cohen will now turn his attention to his post-playing days.

Colts, Jets Sent Giants Offers For No. 6 Overall Pick

July 31st, 2024 at 11:29am CST by Sam Robinson

This Giants offseason has received extensive attention due to HBO’s Hard Knocks effort, and parts of other teams’ processes have come into focus as well. Components of two other teams’ draft chapters emerged, with the Giants receiving what turned out to be significant interest in their No. 6 overall pick.

Going into the draft, Joe Schoen said he would be comfortable with Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers at No. 6 — after efforts to trade up with the Patriots (at No. 3) failed. But the Colts and Jets gauged Schoen’s interest in adding draft capital to slide down the board. Both teams made offers for No. 6.

Chris Ballard said he made big offers to move up, with a skill-position player rumored to be the target. As it turns out, the Colts offered the Giants their second-round pick (No. 46) and their 2025 second-rounder to climb from No. 15 to No. 6. Schoen deemed dropping from 6 to 15 as too far, leading Indianapolis to make other attempts. The Colts ultimately failed and chose Laiatu Latu at 15. With Samson Ebukam sustaining a torn Achilles early in training camp, Latu is poised to play a bigger role as a rookie.

The Colts circled back to their skill spots in Round 2, trading down and drafting Texas’ Adonai Mitchell, but pre-draft reports had them linked to Brock Bowers and this draft’s high-end wide receiver prospects. Harrison was off the board by this point, but Nabers and Rome Odunze were available. Chosen 45 spots before Mitchell, Nabers carried significant appeal after a dominant LSU junior season. The Colts have not used a first-round pick on a skill player since then-GM Ryan Grigson chose Phillip Dorsett in 2015.

The Jets have been connected to Odunze for months, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini speculates the team targeted the Washington wideout with its trade-up attempt. After Odunze went off the board at No. 9, the Jets traded down (via the Vikings) to 11 and drafted Olu Fashanu. Gang Green addressed the receiver position atop Round 3, selecting Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley. Odunze, however, would have represented a big-ticket addition alongside Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams. He instead joined a similarly structured Bears offense, which houses D.J. Moore and ex-Williams teammate Keenan Allen.

Additionally, the Giants saw their Brian Burns trade wound their ability to land one of their preferred cornerbacks. The team targeted Kool-Aid McKinstry and Kamari Lassiter in Round 2. The Giants traded No. 39 to the Panthers in the Burns deal but still held No. 47. Schoen, however, did not want to include a fourth-round selection to move up due to the team having just six picks in the draft. The Hard Knocks: Offseason finale corroborates a report from the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy, who recently indicated the Giants sought McKinstry or Lassiter. The Alabama and Georgia prospects ended up going to the Saints and Texans at Nos. 41 and 42.

The Giants had identified corner as a key need, and while the team did draft Kentucky’s Andru Phillips in Round 3, it is counting on 2022 third-round pick Cor’Dale Flott to make a successful transition from slot defender to outside corner post-Adoree’ Jackson. Flott joins Deonte Banks as the team’s expected outside CB starters. Had McKinstry or Lassiter been on the board at No. 47, it is worth wondering if Flott would remain Big Blue’s preferred slot defender. Eventual Giants second-round safety Tyler Nubin was identified as the team’s backup plan if Lassiter and McKinstry were gone.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Godchaux, Fins, Bills

July 31st, 2024 at 9:15am CST by Sam Robinson

Aaron Rodgers made a surprising push to come back from a September Achilles surgery last season. That predictably ended without the Jets quarterback suiting up again. Robert Saleh is now planning to keep his starter on ice until the games count again. The fourth-year Jets HC said he does not expect Rodgers to play during the preseason, though he noted (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy) he is still deciding with regards to his QB’s participation in the team’s preseason finale. Rodgers sat out the first two Jets preseason games last year but received some work — after pushing Saleh for a chance to suit up, despite not having previously played in the preseason since 2018 — in the third contest. Teams generally park their starters for the third preseason game, and while it would be interesting to see how Rodgers looks post-surgery, it currently appears Week 1 will be his first appearance.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

Jets Sign TE/FB Anthony Firkser

July 30th, 2024 at 5:48pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets have replaced one blocking specialist with another. The team announced that they’ve signed tight end Anthony Firkser. In a corresponding move, the Jets released fullback Nick Bawden.

Firkser has served in a variety of roles during his NFL career, most commonly as a tight end or fullback. He was once relatively productive in the receiving game, including a 2020 campaign where he hauled in 39 catches for 387 yards. He was also called upon as a run blocker, especially while he was in Tennessee. During the 2021 season, Firkser got into a career-high 109 run-blocking snaps for the Titans.

Since leaving Tennessee, Firkser hasn’t seen a consistent role at any of his stops. He got into 11 games for the Falcons in 2022, finishing with nine catches while getting into 47 blocking snaps. After spending the 2023 preseason in New England, the veteran spent much of the regular season on Detroit’s practice squad.

This Jets signing will be a bit of a homecoming for Firkser. The Harvard product got his first NFL opportunity with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He’ll be taking the roster spot previously held by Bawden, who was just activated from the PUP yesterday. Bawden spent the past three years in New York, including a 2023 campaign where he got into a career-high 16 games. The former seventh-round pick saw time on more than 90 blocking snaps for the Jets in 2023 while also seeing a significant role on special teams.

Firkser could easily slide right into that role, but the team also has some young options for their now-open fullback gig. 2022 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert has excelled as a run blocker, while UDFA Lincoln Sefcik has reportedly been working as an H-back during the first few practices.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/29/24

July 29th, 2024 at 8:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: WR Jesse Matthews

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

  • Waived: K John Parker Romo

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Riley Patterson‘s second stint in Jacksonville has come to an end. After getting a seven-game look with the Lions in 2021, Patterson won the Jaguars full-time kicking gig in 2022. He proceeded to convert 30 of his 35 field goal attempts that season, plus another three-for-three showing in the postseason (including a 41-yard game-winner against the Chargers).

He was replaced in Jacksonville by Brandon McManus last offseason, leading to him spending the majority of the 2023 campaign back in Detroit. In addition to his two-game stint with the Browns to end last season, Patterson ended 2023 having connected on 16 of his 18 FG tries and 41 of his 44 XP tries. The Jaguars brought him back in February via a reserve/future contract, but the team is already committing to rookie sixth-round pick Cam Little as their full-time kicker.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/24

July 27th, 2024 at 8:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins 

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Martinez had a productive dual-threat career in college, scoring 96 total touchdowns during his time with Nebraska and Kansas State. He joined the Lions as a UDFA last spring, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. Martinez did not see any NFL game action, but he recently boosted his stock in the UFL. The 24-year-old earned league MVP honors while leading the Birmingham Stallions to the championship. Martinez compiled a combined 17:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and led the league with 588 rushing yards.

The top of New York’s depth chart is set with Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, but rookie Jordan Travis opened training camp on the NFI list as he continues to recover from the leg injury which ended his Florida State career. Martinez’s arrival (and the corresponding departure of Bryant) will allow him to see limited reps for at least a brief period. He could be a practice squad candidate if Travis returns to health in time for the fall, but a strong showing in training camp and/or the preseason could make him an attractive option for other teams.

Jets, DE Haason Reddick Making Progress On Resolution

July 27th, 2024 at 12:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Haason Reddick situation has not reflected well on the Jets, who sent the Eagles a conditional third-rounder for a player angling for a new contract. With no new deal in sight, Reddick has stayed away from his new team since being acquired nearly four months ago.

Reddick skipped Jets minicamp and is one of the few NFLers holding out of training camp. The Jets placed the veteran sack artist on their reserve/did not report list this week. A recent report did indicate the Jets offered Reddick an extension while he was still with the Eagles — as Philly had let the disgruntled pass rusher speak with other teams — most of the rumors coming out of New York this offseason pointed to the team wanting to see its trade pickup in action before making any commitment.

Understandably, the latter aim is not sitting well with Reddick, who is going into his age-30 season. The Jets, however, may be making some progress here. Talks between Reddick and the team have seen some positive development this week, per veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson, who points to a near-future appearance from the former first-round pick. Addressing this report, Robert Saleh noted (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini), “That’s good to hear.”

It would make sense if Reddick showed up soon, as he is racking up $50K-per-day fines for not being at Jets camp. The Jets have been linked to adding sweeteners to Reddick’s current contract, a $15MM-per-year deal that expires after the 2024 season, but it is logical the nomadic edge defender is targeting something bigger. Reddick, whose career arc included multiple seasons miscast as a Cardinals off-ball linebacker, has registered 50.5 sacks since 2020 — fourth-most this decade — and has seen less productive pass rushers lap him on the market.

Reddick’s AAV now ranks 19th among edge rushers, and he is running out of time to score a market-value contract. Of the 18 players ahead of him on that list, only one — Von Miller — secured his deal after age 30. Reddick will turn 30 in September.

While the Jets’ hope of Reddick playing a bigger role than Bryce Huff did last year gives the former some ammo, the team still holds the cards here. The Jets have not ruled out an extension, but for now, the former Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles rusher may be ready to report to camp and settle for an incentive-based agreement in hopes of a better deal coming down the line.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/25/24

July 25th, 2024 at 7:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

  • Placed on active/PUP list: FB Robert Burns

Carolina Panthers

  • Waived/injured: DT Popo Aumavae

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

  • Cut via injury settlement: WR Jared Wayne

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: WR Griffin Hebert
  • Waived from active/NFI list: T Gottlieb Ayedze

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: WR Ty Scott
  • Waived: CB Andrew Whitaker
  • Activated from active/NFI list: LB Easton Gibbs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: TE Sal Cannella

Tennessee Titans

Via this transaction, the Jets are temporarily moving Reddick off their 90-man roster. Unlike placements on the active/PUP or active/NFI lists that are commonplace in July, Reddick is technically out of the mix for the Jets until his holdout ends. The trade acquisition has not shown up at any point since being traded to the Jets in March.

Diggs suffered a torn ACL during a late-September practice. He is not expected to be sidelined past Week 1, but the Cowboys will not have him at practice for a bit.

Levin has been a Titans backup for most of the past six seasons, playing regularly on special teams and starting four games during his career. An interior O-lineman, Levin played the past two seasons on one-year Tennessee deals. This marks yet another chance for Ray, a Broncos first-rounder back in 2015. This agreement comes after Ray worked out for the Titans in May. Ray, 31, spent time with the Bills during the 2023 offseason but has not played in a regular-season NFL game since 2018.

QB Notes: Tua, Rodgers, Daniels, Steelers

July 24th, 2024 at 4:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tua Tagovailoa is not holding in, separating the Dolphins‘ top negotiation from multiple others around the NFL. This includes Jordan Love‘s Packers arrangement, which has become a hold-in situation. Despite Tagovailoa having a longer track record than Love, the fifth-year passer went through Dolphins workouts Wednesday. This did come with a notable exception. Tagovailoa took only two reps (both handoffs) in Dolphins team drills to open camp, per ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa’s camp workload — absent an extension — would compare to OTAs; the lefty did not go through team drills then or during minicamp. We heard Monday this would likely be the route Tagovailoa takes.

The Dolphins have been negotiating with Tua for months, and while some optimism has emerged, Miami’s QB1 has turned down at least one offer and may have seen the team dig in on a price south of Trevor Lawrence‘s $55MM-per-year deal. Lawrence receiving $142MM may also be much higher than the Dolphins want to go. McDaniel said (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) both sides are “relentlessly” working on this agreement. The parties still have time to hammer out a deal before the season, but the longer this goes, the closer Tua comes to carrying a lofty franchise tag number (upwards of $40MM) on Miami’s 2025 cap sheet.

Here is the latest QB news coming out of training camp:

  • Aaron Rodgers confirmed a trip to Egypt indeed led to his missing minicamp and confirmed the Jets fined him for the unexcused absences. Rodgers has been criticized for a lack of leadership by skipping the offseason’s only mandatory workout, but he said his relationship with Robert Saleh has been unaffected. “I’m an adult; I knew what I was getting into,” Rodgers said, via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. “I knew the fine that was coming and also knew how much I wanted to be in Egypt. I wish there hadn’t been a conflict scheduling-wise, but it was what it was.” Rodgers, who said be based the trip on the Jets’ 2023 offseason schedule, had shown up for OTAs prior to the abrupt — to the public, at least — departure.
  • Jayden Daniels does not have Commanders first-string reps to himself just yet; the No. 2 overall pick is splitting them with free agency addition Marcus Mariota, the Washington Post’s Sam Fortier notes. While Dan Quinn is labeling this a QB competition, Fortier cautions that Daniels is all but assured of the starting job. This follows a report that pointed to the Commanders indeed feeling no real reason to hold back the 2023 Heisman winner by giving Mariota bridge work.
  • Although the Daniels-Mariota split may deprive the highly touted rookie from early reps, Washington is holding an actual battle for the No. 3 spot. The team is pitting rookie UDFA Sam Hartman against veteran Jeff Driskel, Fortier adds. The former Notre Dame starter, who has a safety net via the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions’ recent draft choice, played behind Driskel to start camp. It is not yet clear if the Commanders plan to keep three QBs, but the winner of this battle would stand to at least be the team’s emergency option in the event only two are rostered.
  • Prior to the USFL and XFL merging, Ben DiNucci played in the former league’s second season and spent last year as the Broncos’ third-stringer. The recent Russell Wilson teammate worked out for the 13-year vet’s new team this week, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who notes the Steelers brought in the veteran. Pittsburgh has Kyle Allen in place behind Wilson and Justin Fields presently.

Jets Offered Haason Reddick Extension Before Eagles Trade

July 24th, 2024 at 9:19am CST by Sam Robinson

The Haason Reddick situation remains a front-burner Jets issue, as the offseason trade acquisition was a no-show to start training camp. While the Jets are open to adjusting Reddick’s deal via sweeteners, they are not believed to prefer a long-term extension before the accomplished edge rusher plays a down this season.

Though, the Jets are now believed to have offered some type of extension months ago. Receiving permission to speak with Reddick’s camp prior to the trade, the Jets made an offer Reddick declined, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports. While the proposal provided Reddick a raise from the $14.25MM salary he is due this year, the former first-round pick’s asking price is currently out of the Jets’ range.

Reddick is seeking a deal in $25-$28MM-per-year territory, Hughes adds. This would place Reddick in the top six among edge rusher AAVs, a sector his sack production would support. The Jets had expected the eighth-year vet to report for their offseason program and training camp. After incurring just more than $100K in fines for skipping minicamp, Reddick has continued to stay away from his new team. This has created an impasse, as the New York Post’s Brian Costello indicates the Jets are not interested in negotiating with Reddick until he reports.

The Jets traded a conditional 2026 third-round pick for Reddick in late March, and while the team has a regular role planned for him (as opposed to the situational role Bryce Huff held), GM Joe Douglas has been hesitant to authorize an extension. Reddick’s age (30 in September) has come up as one of the reasons the team is holding off here, but sending a Day 2 pick for a player — conditional or not — and then seeing that player hold out obviously presents a bad look.

As the Jets are eyeing short-term solutions with Reddick, Costello adds the former Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles edge is more focused on a long-term play. Reddick outplayed his three-year, $45MM deal in Philly, leading the 2022 NFC champions’ charge at the 1984 Bears’ long-running sack record. The Eagles fell just short of that mark but still produced a staggering 70 sacks. Reddick’s 50.5 sacks during the 2020s rank fourth in the NFL, yet his contract has fallen to 19th among edge rushers. Huff secured better terms than Reddick’s this offseason, inking a three-year, $51.1MM Eagles deal. The Jets’ reluctance to pay Huff has certainly affected their developing Reddick situation.

The team is not opposed to doing a deal in-season, per Hughes, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini indicates an extension coming to pass later in the season is still in play. The team wants to gauge the fit first. The Jets extended John Franklin-Myers in September 2021, though Reddick is a much higher-profile player compared to the former waiver claim. Due to Reddick coming aboard, the Jets traded Franklin-Myers to the Broncos in what amounted to a salary dump.

Reddick is also running short on time to cash in, as less productive (but younger) edge rushers Brian Burns and Josh Allen nearly doubled his AAV on extensions this offseason. Finally, Hughes notes the Jets have informed Reddick they have no plans to trade or release him. As such, this drama persists. The team must fine Reddick approximately $50K per day for his absences, as he is attached to a veteran contract.

Post-Franklin-Myers, the Jets have recent first-rounders Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald in the fold. Reddick’s holdout opens the door for McDonald, but the team obviously wants the veteran to anchor its defensive end contingent. For now, the sides are not in alignment on how to make that happen.

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