For teams not in contention for the upcoming playoffs, 2014 is starting to become the focus. The New York Jets have been eliminated from the postseason and now the team is starting to think about contract extensions, free agency and the future of head coach Rex Ryan. While Ryan admits his future is up in the air, several marquee stars expect to return next season.
Both Antonio Cromartie and Santonio Holmes make up the struggling veteran presence for the Jets. While both appear to be at risk of losing their starting spots, both players are expecting to be offered a contract extension to remain and retire part of the New York Jets.
Cromartie will be a $14.98 million hit to the salary cap in 2014. That is a very large price tag for a cornerback coming off low numbers than what was expected from him in the preseason. The veteran will be entering the final year of his contract. The Jets will have to decide whether or not it is worth re-signing and attempting to lower his cap hit or release him all together and be left with $5.48 million in dead money but save $9 million in space. Cromartie expects to be kept.
"Definitely," Cromartie said, via the Newark Star-Ledge. "This is where I want to be. My family loves it here. I think the biggest thing, for me, is just to make sure that going into this last game I'm playing to the best of my ability. At the end of the day, no matter what you do, your last name is your resume. That's how I want to go about it. I'm here. My family wants to be here, and this is where I want to retire."
Holmes is operating under the same belief. The wide receiver is expected to be released, but he is hoping his willingness to take a pay cut will help his future. Over the past two seasons, Holmes has recorded 40 catches total. While a season-ending injury derailed his 2012, the wide receiver has just never looked the same in 2013. He has just 415 yards and one touchdown on the year.
"I wouldn't agree [with a pay cut] because you can't do anything about injuries and how they occur -- this is the first time I've been injured in my career -- but like I said, sacrifices have to be made," Holmes said, via New York Post. "I'd love to play for him the next couple of years, and even retire here, he and I both."
Holmes has two years a $17.5 million remaining on his current contract. While being a big part of the Jets' 2010 playoff run, Holmes has not done much since then. Poor quarterback play could be to blame, but general manager John Idzik likely will not put that into consideration when looking at the receiver's future.
Mark Sanchez is likely also going to be another victim come the offseason. The quarterback is expected to be released in favor of rookie Geno Smith. Ryan could also be gone representing a real dismantling of the New York Jets.
