Jets Warned Not to Let Projected $36 Million Defender Depart in Free Agency

Someone is going to give the bag to Bryce Huff during the offseason.

It is possible that a large contract is not offered by the New York Jets. Pro Football Focus’s Brad Spielberger cautioned the green and white to hold onto Huff.

 

In an article published on Thursday, January 25, Spielberger stated, “A mid-rate deal for a designated pass-rushing specialist who can make game-changing plays in high-leverage moments would make a lot of sense for a team in the

midst of an all-in window with Aaron Rodgers.” “Huff made strides as an early-

down run defender as his role grew, and his 23.8% pass-rush win rate over the

past two seasons trails only that of the legendary Myles Garrett.”

Huff is expected to receive a four-year, $36 million contract this summer,

according to Spotrac’s estimated market value. According to Over The Cap, he would rank No. 25 among the NFL’s

highest-paid pass rushers with the $9.2 million yearly contract.

Jets Made a Mistake and It Could Cost Them Dearly

Huff signed with the Jets on an undrafted free-agent contract for $2.3 million. After

that contract ran its course, Gang Green placed a second-round restricted

free-agent tender for $4.3 million on Huff.

Now the former Memphis product is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent for the very first time in 2024.

Spielberger called the Jets’ decision not to give Huff an early deal during the previous campaign to be “interesting.”

 

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said on “TOJ Talks” that “I do know that there were conversations about re-signing Huff during the season, but they just ultimately decided they didn’t want to sign any of these guys to new deals [at that moment in time].”

Huff’s earnings over the first four seasons of his career haven’t been particularly high by NFL standards. The Jets may have avoided paying a large sum of money if they had taken the initiative to try to sign Huff to a long-term contract during the season.

 

Rather, they decided to let events unfold. Huff, who is only 25 years old, is about to enter the open market after enjoying a career year.

Jets Better Hope Will McDonald Is Ready to Make Massive Leap

Spielberger said Will McDonald “wins in a similar manner” to Huff on the field as bendy pass rushers. He speculated that rolling with McDonald in 2024 was perhaps the “preferred” succession plan to replace Huff.

“In retrospect, it feels like they [the Jets] were planning for the possibility of losing Bryce Huff ” [when they selected McDonald], Rosenblatt explained on the “TOJ Talks” podcast.

Huff recently finished a career-high 10 sacks in a single year. In his rookie season, McDonald recorded just three sacks on a meager number of snaps.

 

You are somewhat familiar with Huff. McDonald remains a highly enigmatic figure.

Allowing Huff to go before committing fully to a season seems quite hazardous. especially because he is still developing and plays a premium position. The Jets may be sorry they let Huff play for someone else if McDonald fails to make the sophomore jump.