Contracts Jets Must Consider Cutting in 2023 Offseason

The New York Jets made substantial improvement during the 2022 season, as they won seven of their first 11 games. However, their six-game losing streak to end the campaign prevented them from ending their 12-year playoff drought, the longest active one in the NFL.

But if the Jets can make the right moves this offseason, perhaps they'll finally get back to the postseason next year. They have some talented core players on their roster, so if they complement them with free-agent additions and a strong rookie class, they should continue their rise.

New York will need to clear some cap space, though, if it hopes to make any significant moves in free agency. According to Over The Cap, the Jets are currently projected to be about $2.6 million over the cap for the 2023 campaign. That can change if they're willing to get rid of any of the players with substantial contracts for next season.

Here's a look at several players New York may want to consider cutting this offseason.

Carl Lawson, DE

AP Photo/Doug Murray

New York Jets defensive lineman Carl Lawson (58) walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)

After missing all of the 2021 season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, Carl Lawson finally made his Jets debut in 2022. In fact, he started all 17 games for the team, recording 33 tackles, seven sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Although Lawson was fairly productive, he has a cap hit of $15.3 million for the 2023 season. But it may be tempting for New York to release the 27-year-old, given that only $333,334 of that amount is dead cap (per Spotrac). So the team could save a significant amount of money by parting ways with him.

Perhaps the Jets could just try to restructure Lawson's deal for the final year of his contract. They have plenty of young pass rushers on the rise, though, such as Bryce Huff, Jermaine Johnson and Micheal Clemons. John Franklin-Myers also remains in that mix on the edge.

It may be better for New York to spend the money it would save by cutting Lawson to address another area of its roster that has bigger holes. Lawson wasn't such a force that it's a must for the Jets to keep him for 2023.

Duane Brown, OT

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

New York Jets offensive tackle Duane Brown (71) in action against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)

It's possible that Duane Brown will decide to retire this offseason. The 15-year NFL veteran is turning 38 in August, and it's unlikely he'd have a starting role with the Jets in 2023. He made 12 starts this past season, but New York will be getting back Mekhi Becton back from injury.

Brown could be a beneficial player to have as a backup. However, he has an $11.3 million cap hit for next season. That's quite a high price to pay for somebody who may not see the field too often.

The Jets would be paying a decent amount of dead cap if they released Brown early in the offseason, so they may want to wait until after June 1 to do so. At that point, they'd be saving more money, and they'll likely have a better idea of whether Brown wants to keep playing or not.

Any cap that New York could save by getting rid of Brown would likely be useful, as it could reallocate those resources and acquire a more affordable backup tackle. So it's something for the Jets to consider.

Braxton Berrios, WR

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

New York Jets wide receiver Braxton Berrios (10) carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Braxton Berrios ranked ninth on the Jets in receiving yards in the 2022 season, as he had 18 catches for 145 yards. The 27-year-old also never scored a touchdown. So he was much less productive than he had been the previous two years.

There's no reason for New York to pay Berrios as much as it's about to in 2023, as the Miami product has an $8.2 million cap hit for next season. And it's unlikely he'll get much playing time in a receiving corps that features Corey Davis, Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore and Denzel Mims.

However, if the Jets release Berrios, they'll still have to pay $3.2 million in dead cap. So perhaps the best move would be to restructure his contract for next season, as New York would have to pay that amount regardless.

Either way, the Jets have to do something about Berrios' salary, as they shouldn't be paying him what he's set to earn. Even if they have to pay the dead cap, they'll still be clearing some space that could be useful while making other moves.