FLORHAM PARK — There had been a lot of speculation regarding some of the veterans on the New York Jets that carried large cap hits into the 2023 season. New York could move on from them and save needed cap space, or they could restructure and keep the players on the roster at a lower price.
One of those players was Jordan Whitehead. The safety was due over $10 million just 24 hours ago but instead of moving him, the Jets simply got him on a better deal.
New York agreed to a restructured deal with their safety to save around $5 million in salary cap space according to Over the Cap. The Jets now own close to $24 million in salary cap room – fourth most across the entire NFL.
It was a necessary step to make and not the only one the Jets will be looking to work on over the next few weeks. New York is currently in negotiations with First-Team All-Pro Quinnen Williams and looking to restructure Aaron Rodgers’ contract for the next few years. That requires Gang Green to have as much space as possible to give them room to agree on deals with their two best players.
Other players like C.J. Mosley and Corey Davis are also considered restructuring candidates that could save the team a lot more space.
For Whitehead, the new deal gives him void years that allow him to receive money should he leave the Jets over the next few years. The former Buccaneer started every game for the Jets last season and recorded 89 tackles with two picks. He was part of a secondary that finished in the top five thanks to their stellar cornerback play and lethal safeties. Pro Football Focus graded Whitehead’s 2022 season at an above-average 66.1.
Free Agency has left New York’s secondary looking a little different than it was last season. LeMarcus Joyner is gone and Chuck Clark has taken his place. The work that Clark and Whitehead have done to be on the same page shows exactly why the team wanted to keep safety in the first place.
“Their relationship out here has been exceptional. You can see Chuck, there’s a reason he’s played such consistent football for such a long time. He really pushes Jordan in that way, and I’m excited about (the safety group),” defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said Wednesday.
