Antonio Cromartie: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Free-Agent CB

Daniel KramerFeb 22, 2016

The New York Jets announced on Feb. 22 that they had cut Antonio Cromartie, but the veteran cornerback is reportedly open to returning to his incumbent club in 2016 for a lower financial figure. A return to the Big Apple is far from certain, however.

Continue for updates.

Cromartie Expresses Desire to Join Cowboys

Thursday, March 10

Cromartie Unlikely to Join Panthers

Wednesday, March 9

Tiffany Blackmon of NFL Network reported, per a source, that Cromartie is "not happening" in Charlotte.

Cromartie had tweeted his interest in playing for the Carolina Panthers on Monday:

Cromartie Comments on Possibility of Playing For Bills

Sunday, Feb. 28

Cromartie was asked about playing for the Buffalo Bills and head coach Rex Ryan during a segment of NFL Total Access on the NFL Network, via Arun Srinivasan of theScore. "I love Rex, man," Cromartie said. "That would be a great opportunity for me. I played for him for four years, and I think he's doing something good up there, up in Buffalo, to turn the organization back around."

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier Ryan was "intrigued by a reunion" with his former player.

Cromartie Open to Pay Cut with Jets

Monday, Feb. 22

Cromartie would be inclined to agree "because he loves the Jets organization and coach Todd Bowles,” Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media reported Feb. 22, citing an unidentified league source.

Cromartie Provides Valuable CB Experience Despite Statistical Decline

Cromartie, 31, is coming off his 10th NFL season and his first in which he didn’t register an interception since his rookie campaign in 2006. He tallied at least three per season in the six years prior and led the league with 10 interceptions in 2007 while playing for the San Diego Chargers.

Last year, the Jets ranked fourth in total defense, ninth in scoring and 13th against the pass, but they tied for the fourth-most passes allowed of 20-plus yards with 59. They finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs with a loss in Week 17 but arguably wouldn’t have been in a position to contend for a playoff spot if it weren’t for their stringent defense.

Now a free agent, Cromartie isn’t likely to haul in another contract as handsome as the four-year, $32 million deal (guaranteed money in the first year) he was just released from, per Spotrac.

He’ll likely need to settle for a more modest deal in dollars and years, whether it's with the Jets or another club.