When the New York Jets traded for Percy Harvin, they also acquired his gigantic contract. The wide receiver came to the Big Apple from the Seattle Seahawks and has been very vocal about his love for the Jets and desire to remain with the team for the long term. However, the Jets are preparing for a number of offseason changes that will include the likely firing of Rex Ryan. If the head coach and general manager John Idzik go, does Harvin leave with them?
There are several factors to look at when considering the future of Harvin. The wide receiver has four years remaining on a $64.25 million extension. That includes non-guaranteed base salaries of $10.5 million, $9.9 million, $9.95 million and $11.15 million (per the New York Daily News). If the Jets keep Harvin on the roster at the start of the league year, they must give the Seahawks a fourth-round draft pick instead of the original sixth-round draft pick. If the Jets simply cut or trade Harvin, they will not have to deal with his high salaries.
According to the New York Daily News, Harvin is not willing to take a pay cut to remain with the Jets. While he would prefer to stay with the team, knowing he will not make that kind of money elsewhere, he also is not looking to restructure his contract for lesser pay. Harvin is in a win-win situation. He either remains with the Jets and makes the money he is contracted for or he heads to a different team with a better system and quarterback.
Harvin can be a big part in the rebuilding of the Jets considering he is still a quality wide receiver, but they will need to add a better quarterback to make proper use of him. The Jets will make a change at the position, it has just yet to be determined how they will go about it. The team could try and trade Geno Smith even though the return would be slim. They could draft a quarterback and keep Smith on the roster while a rookie develops. They would also make a big trade for someone like Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel that might do better in a different situation.
