The player that every general manager desires is Bryce Huff.
Undrafted: Found as evidence of your scouting division. Developed: As a consequence of the system and your coaches. Presently a star: A victory that surpasses initial round triumphs since he is a person in whom you and a select few had faith, which has now paid off.
You put money on players such as Huff. You solidify them as franchise mainstays.
Nevertheless, the Jets are in this situation, and the likelihood of losing him is increasing every day.
And since they created this predicament, they are the only ones who can be held accountable.
Not because the Jets don’t want Huff to return. That is absurd. For the past two years, he has been among the most effective pass rushers in the NFL. Huff performed at his peak in 2023, the year of his contract. He ended with 21 quarterback hits (a career record previously set at 10) and 10 sacks (a career high previously set at 3.5). The most noteworthy, perhaps, is a pressure percentage of 21.8, which is higher than that of Nick Bosa (17.1), Micah Parsons (21.3), and Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett (17.0).
And he achieved it by participating in less than 45% of his team’s plays.
Huff only plays situationally because of doubts over his ability to play the run. His stature of 6 feet 3 inches and 255 pounds was the main factor in his denial of a 2020 draft selection.That makes sense. Last year, he had a poor ProFootballFocus run defensive grade of 48.0. He only ever received a higher grade (64.9 in 2022).
It just doesn’t matter.
The league is pass-first. Few players in the NBA cause as much disruption as Huff. He will be one of the most sought-after players in free agency because of his ability. He will receive hefty compensation from a team. According to one agent who spoke with SNY, Huff might agree to a three-year contract worth around $15 million a year, with nearly $30 million guaranteed. These figures might rise significantly in the event of a bidding battle, which is typical with edge rushers.
It’s well-earned. It should be given to him by the Jets. Their hands are the only things tied.
On the previous year’s draft, the Jets had options. Their pick was the fifteenth. They may have selected an offensive lineman earlier in the draft (most people predicted a run before New York’s choice). They may have chosen a recipient by remaining in their current location. Both positions took into account their top two requirements.
No tackle was traded up for by the Jets. They didn’t choose a recipient. They selected Will McDonald, a defensive end with small stature who excels at pressuring the passer. Does this name seem familiar? Along with Huff, Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Myers, and Jamaica Johnson, they added him to the group.
If Aaron Rodgers hadn’t injured himself four plays into the season, the Jets would have made the playoffs, but his absence highlighted a number of problems with the roster.
Last offseason, the Jets thought they were just one quarterback away from a real title contender. They bet everything on Rodgers because of this. That was a heinous error in judgment.
They now enter 2024 aware that their offensive line needs to be rebuilt, including a No. 2 quarterback, depth at running back behind Breece Hall, a left tackle, right tackle, and depth insurance for the frequently injured Alijah Vera-Tucker. They also need a No. 2 receiver to oppose Garrett Wilson.
Can the Jets afford to outbid rivals for Huff, who has openly stated that he will sign with the highest bidder, given that ownership has stated that improving the offense is the team’s first priority? Given the amount of money they’ve already spent on the defensive line—including first-round selections in Johnson and McDonald—can they afford to bring Huff back?
Problem.
Once more: A creation of their own.
Like everyone in his position, general manager Joe Douglas emphasizes the importance of choosing the best player available, but choosing McDonald was a mistake. He might very well become one of the best edge rushers in the game. That’s alright. However, the Jets already had a native player named Huff. Unlike a tackle or wideout, they didn’t require McDonald. In other words, the Jets may have to let Huff depart and hope McDonald becomes the player that Huff is, all the while attempting to meet those other needs. It wasn’t necessary for that to happen.
A year ago, after signing Rodgers, the Jets might not have been in a position to trade up for a tackle. But there were plenty of receivers available for them to accept.
The Seattle Seahawks selected Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20. Working behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, he concluded the season with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns.At No. 22, Zay Flowers was selected by the Baltimore Ravens. He hauled in 77 passes for 858 yards and five touchdowns before the end of the season.At No. 23, Jordan Addison was selected by the Minnesota Vikings. With 70 receptions, he gained 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
These three appear to have great potential.
Select the more favorable circumstance.
Option A: While filling other offensive line holes, the Jets let Huff depart and hope McDonald improves after a lackluster rookie campaign. Then, they hope to add a receiver in free agency or the draft.
Option B: Re-sign Huff, draft one of those three to lock down the position opposite Wilson, and use this summer to concentrate on rebuilding the offensive line.
With Smith-Njigba, Flowers, or Addison starting opposite Wilson and then re-signing Huff, the Jets are clearly a much more well-rounded club than they are presently by 2024. Nor is this retrospective. The instant Roger Goodell read McDonald’s name off the draft card, it was evident that the same thing.
Owner Woody Johnson’s comments during the NFL Honors the week of the Super Bowl made it clear that the seats beneath Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh have never been hotter. He’s run out of patience.
He doesn’t take pride in having the longest postseason drought of any franchise in the four major sports leagues. It has been enough time for the two individuals he placed in charge of turning his team around. It’s time to see outcomes.
Nobody’s mistake is solely to blame. This Huff incident is just the most recent of several.
But it exacerbates a lot of the issues this squad has had over the previous five years. The Jets failed to take the appropriate action.
They are currently attempting to resolve an issue that never should have arisen.
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