Top 5 Contracts Jets Should Offer to Free Agents
It’s almost time to sign free agents. The new league year is upon us. So, let’s discuss the top free agents for the New York Jets, and the contracts they should offer to get the players to sign.
Malik Willis
Most teams are going to offer Willis a two-year contract. The Jets should offer him a contract with two years guaranteed and a built-in “extension” where he can earn additional guarantees based on his play in 2026. This could give them a leg up in the negotiations.
This has multiple guarantee triggers to allow him to earn a roster spot beyond the 2026 guarantee. It also gives the Jets two years to evaluate, if necessary. If he doesn’t hit the 2026 guarantee trigger, and they decide he’s their guy, they can allow the 2028 roster trigger to occur and work on an extension in 2028.
Romeo Doubs
The Jets need a WR2 to pair with Garrett Wilson, and many want them to draft someone early. Doubs provides them with a solid #2, and someone who can be a blocker in a run-heavy scheme.
This contract provides the Jets with a three-year window plus they could extend him later with the void years, providing a potential baseline for the number of years.
Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum is expected to hit the free agent market, since the Ravens won’t use the franchise or transition tag on him. The Jets could use a long-term answer at starting center, and they’ve gone the free agency route before and helped turn the franchise around — while current head coach Aaron Glenn played for the team.
Leo Chenal
Chenal is a rising talent at linebacker in the NFL. The Chiefs seem destined to lose the linebacker, and Spotrac has his market value $4.6 million.
That said, the Jets should go all-in on him and pair him with Jamien Sherwood for $7 million per season. Given his nature as an ascending player still, it’s very similar to Quincy Williams. So, he could be a cheap long-term player for the Jets if he hits
Trey Hendrickson
It’s best to typically find your edge rusher in the first round, but safety is also a position that transitions better to the NFL immediately. Luckily, the Jets have two first-round picks.
Hendrickson can be a stop-gap at edge, and the Jets could also continue to see what they have in Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson, while developing a top draft pick at edge.
He’s 31 years old, and coming off an injury, so he might not be a long-term solution. However, given his talent, he’s going to command dollars in free agency.
