Outside of the quarterback position, Percy Harvin is the biggest offseason headline for the New York Jets. The wide receiver is a heavy salary cap hit in the coming years and the Jets must decide whether he is worth the commitment or not. According to new head coach Todd Bowles, the priority is to put playmakers in position to help out whoever is at quarterback and the jury is still out as to whether Harvin is that kind of player. The clock is ticking for the Jets to make a call.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, the Jets are expected to release Harvin by the March 19 deadline. Harvin was originally brought in after a low-risk trade by the Seattle Seahawks. The Jets were hoping the one-two punch of Harvin and Eric Decker would give Geno Smith the weapons he needed, but that did not happen. In 13 games this year he put up 483 yards and one touchdown while failing to bring anything to the passing game for the Jets.
Harvin's salary cap hit is what is likely working the most against him. The wide receiver is a $10.5 million cap hit in the upcoming season and he is no longer worth the commitment. Harvin still has four years and $41.5 million left on his contract while his cap hit continues to increase. The only option is to release him and try to get a top threat either in free agency or the NFL Draft.
Harvin's release would put the Jets in the hole at the wide receiver spot. Decker is staying put considering he gets $5 million in guaranteed money this season. Jeremy Kerley could also likely stick around. He is just a $2.6 million hit and has remained relatively productive in his time with New York. The question becomes will the Jets be conservative in their search for a receiver or will they overspend out of desperation.
According to Cimini, the Jets will chase the top names while listening to trade prices for Larry Fitzgerald and Mike Wallace. Dez Bryant is likely a huge long shot along with Demaryius Thomas, but Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin and Torrey Smith are all options for New York. With the team likely brining in a new quarterback, getting a top wide receiver should be a priority.
