New York Jets: How Santonio Holmes Contract News Shakes Up 2012 NFL Draft Needs

It wasn't expected that the New York Jets would part ways with Santonio Holmes—not after head coach Rex Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum publicly massaged his confidence by saying he would stay with the team in 2011. But now it's even less likely, as the Jets are tied to him for the next two years, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.

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Holmes, whose season ended with a benching in Miami, is guaranteed $7.5 million of his $11 million 2013 salary if he still is on the Jets’ roster this morning.

That means the Jets owe the wide receiver $15.25 million of guaranteed money, an amount that means he won’t be going anywhere. The Jets have said publicly since the season ended they would keep Holmes, but parting still seemed like something the team had to consider after the way Holmes’ 2011 season went.

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The relationship between Jets receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez was one of many low notes that emphasized a turbulent ending to the Jets' season. If today's news is any indication, these two may be stuck on the plane together for another couple of years.

Statistically, Holmes was less effective in 2011 than he was in 2010, which is interesting since he had more opportunities in 2011. He played in fewer games, and though Sanchez targeted him at a higher rate, he was less effective in terms of yards per reception. 

He was even less helpful from a team chemistry perspective, as some pointed out that he played a big part in some of the locker room dissension.

One of the Jets' biggest mistakes was giving him the "C" patch as a team captain. Just doing away with captains altogether isn't enough. The Jets need to build a support group for Holmes. He has always had his character issues, but they weren't nearly as evident or intrusive when he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers as they have become in his time with the Jets. That is, in large part, due to an organization that rewards high character and punishes low character.

The Jets have a need at receiver, with or without Holmes on the roster. Plaxico Burress is aging, Jeremy Kerley is yet unproven and Sanchez would certainly like to finally have some prime time targets to air it out to.

It would be easier to "build from within" so to speak, even if that building begins with a player who is earning over $7 million in each of the next two seasons. The Jets have already spent eight of their 13 draft picks in the past three years on skill position offensive players, though. 

If they're going to keep throwing those darts at the board, they'd better hope something sticks soon.

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