INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: General manager Joe Douglas of the New York Jets speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Jets' Last-Minute Guide to 2023 NFL Free Agency

Jake RillMar 12, 2023

Another offseason has arrived in which the New York Jets still own the longest active playoff drought in the NFL. Although they went 7-10 last season (tied for their most wins in a campaign over the past seven years), they missed the postseason for the 12th straight time.

This is New York's fourth offseason under general manager Joe Douglas, who has done a solid job of improving the team's roster. With a strong, young core in place, the Jets will look to complement those players with the right pieces to help them finally get back to the playoffs.

It will soon be time for New York to try to do that, as NFL free agency begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. And the legal tampering period (when teams can begin speaking with free agents) begins 48 hours prior to that on Monday.

Here's a last-minute free-agency guide for the Jets with the 2023 offseason about to ramp up within the next few days.

Cap Situation

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AP Photo/Darron Cummings

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

2023 NFL Cap: $224.8 million

Cap Space: $1.4 million over, per Over The Cap

The Jets are one of the eight teams projected to be over the salary cap for the 2023 season. However, New York is barely over, so it should have no trouble making the necessary moves to get under $224.8 million.

In fact, the Jets will likely cut enough players to give them some financial flexibility for free agency. So even though they're over the cap now, they should clear up space in the near future.

The more moves New York makes, the more cap space it will have to utilize on the free-agent market.

Notable Free Agents

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 27: New York Jets center Connor McGovern (60) during the National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears on November 27, 2022 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

LB Kwon Alexander
OT George Fant
OG Nate Herbig
S Lamarcus Joyner
C Connor McGovern
DT Sheldon Rankins
LB Quincy Williams

Fant, Herbig and McGovern combined for 35 total starts on the Jets' offensive line during the 2022 season. So if they don't bring back any of the three, they'll need to add players up front who can slide into starting roles.

McGovern is likely the top priority on the O-line, considering he started all 17 games at center for New York last season. The 29-year-old has made 48 starts over the past three seasons.

Key defenders such as Joyner, Rankins and Williams are also set to hit free agency. Since the Jets claimed Williams off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to the 2021 season, the 26-year-old has 216 tackles in 31 games. So it'd be a substantial loss if New York doesn't bring Williams back to its linebacker corps.

Biggest Needs and Potential Targets

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 08: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) acknowledges fans during a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2023 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Quarterback

Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, doesn't appear to be the solution to the Jets' ongoing QB woes. Mike White and Joe Flacco are both set to hit free agency, but neither is the long-term answer anyway. So New York's top priority this offseason is finding a starting quarterback.

It's possible the Jets will work out a trade with the Green Bay Packers for Aaron Rodgers. According to Connor Hughes of SNY, a deal is "essentially done," as the teams wait to see if Rodgers decides to play in 2023.

If Rodgers doesn't go to New York, then the team could explore the free-agent market, with the top QB likely to be Jimmy Garoppolo.

Safety

The 32-year-old Joyner may not be back, and if not, then the Jets will need a safety to start alongside Chuck Clark at the back of their secondary. It seems quite likely that will be a possibility.

One potential fit for that hole could be Jimmie Ward. The 31-year-old has ties to New York head coach Robert Saleh, who was the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020. Ward has played for the 49ers throughout his entire nine-year NFL career.

Defensive Tackle

Quinnen Williams is returning, but the Jets will need to find somebody to start alongside him on the interior of their defensive line. Perhaps they look to bring back Rankins, but if not, then they'll need to turn elsewhere.

Larry Ogunjobi and Fletcher Cox are notable DTs on the free-agent market who New York may want to consider targeting, should Rankins not re-sign.