Should the New York Jets Retain Percy Harvin After This Season?

When the New York Jets traded a conditional draft pick to acquire wide receiver Percy Harvin from the Seattle Seahawks back in October, the decision made perfect sense.

The Jets were struggling to produce explosive plays on offense and were in danger of falling out of the playoff hunt before the second month of the season had ended. 

With a 1-6 record, their lone victory came against a woeful Oakland Raiders team.

Harvin, a five-year veteran of the Minnesota Vikings and Seahawks, brought with him explosive potential and at least a little hope that the season could be turned around. Though character issues had already caused two teams to give up on Harvin, the trade of a mid-round draft pick made his acquisition a relatively low-risk move.

Deciding what to do with Harvin after this season isn't going to be as easy for the Jets.

For his part, it seems that Harvin wants to be back in New York next season.

"I feel at home here. I'm comfortable with all the players," Harvin said Friday, per George Willis of the New York Post. "I like the vibe around here."

The important question is if the Jets are feeling the Harvin vibe enough to bring him back under his current deal.

Harvin has four years remaining on his current contract and is scheduled to make $10.5 million in base salary in 2015. However, he has no guaranteed money remaining on his contract after this season. So, if the Jets decide to part ways with the receiver, they can do so with little financial consequence.

It is difficult to envision the Jets paying $10.5 million for a player that hasn't consistently been a game-changer.

Rec	Yds Rec	Rush	Yds Rus	TDs
25	306	19	99	1

Harvin has provided some offense for the Jets. In six games with New York, he has amassed 366 yards receiving and 99 yards rushing. He has also provided a spark in the return game, with 443 kick return yards (and average of 24.6 yards per return).

However, Harvin hasn't provided enough for the 2-11 Jets to save their season, and he hasn't exactly performed like an elite player either. Harvin has as many fumbles (one) as touchdowns with the Jets, and he has fewer receiving yards on the season (439) than 85 other players.

The Jets would be paying Harvin more than twice what Eric Decker (620 yards receiving, four touchdowns) is scheduled to make in base salary in 2015. With a serious rebuilding effort likely around the corner, it would seem that Harvin's salary could be better used on young, foundation-worthy pieces for the franchise. 

Of course, the decision on Harvin's future may very well be made by someone who isn't currently with the organization. The general feeling all season has been that head coach Rex Ryan won't be back in 2015. However, it is appearing more and more likely that owner Woody Johnson may part ways with general manager John Idzik as well.

Johnson, per Gary Myers of the New York Daily News:

"

Ultimately, I am going to have to look for something that I believe is going to right the ship, whether it’s the current way, the way we are doing it now with the people we have now or going down a different pathway. I’m looking at everything. I’m analyzing what’s happened and why it’s happened.

"

Johnson could decide on a different path that includes coaches or executives that had a hand in one of Harvin's past two departures. If so, it is hard to imagine that the wide receiver would be wanted.

Either way, Harvin's future is going to come down cost versus production. A salary of $10.5 million simply seems too steep for an underperforming wideout with an injury history and character issues.

Unless the Jets can renegotiate Harvin's contract to something more manageable, it would seem to make a lot more sense to cut ties and dry developing a different young playmaker for the future.