Like many teams, the New York Jets are trying to round out their wide receivers corps after a disappointing 2013. The first move John Idzik plans to make is releasing long-time veteran Santonio Holmes, freeing up salary cap space for a run on top free agents. In need of playmakers, the Jets have targeted Jeremy Maclin as their potential No. 1 receiver.
According to USA Today Sports, the Jets are heavily interested in Maclin who will be a free agent in March. Releasing Holmes will save about $8.25 million in salary cap space, giving New York money to work with. According to the papers' Derick E. Hingle, Maclin is the team's favorite in free agency as the Philadelphia Eagles determine whether or not to retain the receiver.
Maclin would be an affordable option for the Jets while still generating a high amount of production. Coming off a season where he missed every game due to an ACL tear in the preseason, Maclin promises he will be ready to play come 2014 and if a team only wants to offer a one-year contract, he would agree.
"For a team that wants to give me a one-year deal, that's cool," Maclin said, via Comcast Philadelphia. "I'll just go out there and ball out, do the things I think I can do. Hopefully get that type of deal I'm looking for (after 2014). If a team wants to give me a long-term deal, I'll go out there and still do the same thing."
The issue is that Maclin really only wants to return to the Philadelphia Eagles. The wide receiver has been very vocal in his desire to remain with the team, but with Riley Cooper also looking for a new deal, things are complicated. Maclin says he is working to get on the same page as the Eagles in order to get a new contract.
"I've always stated, this is where I want to be. The Eagles have stated the same thing," Maclin said, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We'll continue to get on the same page with all that and get something done."
The Eagles might be preparing for Maclin to move on as the team is preparing a backup plan just in case. Eagles beat writer Jimmy Kempski report the team is looking at Ted Ginn Jr as a possible addition in free agency. The Carolina receiver is the perfect mix of versatility, something Chip Kelly looks at. His 556 yards and five touchdowns would put him on pace as one of the Eagles' top performers. If both Cooper and Maclin depart in the offseason, Philadelphia could favor Ginn Jr..
