Cut, Keep or Restructure: Making the Call on Jets' Worst Contracts

Fortunately for the New York Jets, there aren’t many inflated contracts on the books for 2015. However, the front office still has to assess players based on value.

Percy Harvin’s contract is the most notable as a result of a midseason trade to acquire him from the Seattle Seahawks. Along with Harvin, there are a few contract dollars that significantly exceed the value of the player's production.

On the other side of the spectrum, Jets brass must reward those players who have outplayed their dollar amount.

Here are five contracts that are in need of a thorough reassessment this offseason.

D'Brickashaw Ferguson: Restructure

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D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s contract projects him to be the highest-paid player on the Jets roster this year at $11.698 million. Frankly, he isn’t the best offensive linemen on the team, let alone its most valued player in terms of production.

Ferguson has been reliable, starting in every game of his nine-year career with New York, but his production at left tackle has declined. He allowed a quarterback-pressure total of 37 and was ranked as the 35th offensive tackle in the league in 2014, per Pro Football Focus.

Ferguson vastly improved from his horrible 2013 season (allowing eight sacks)—down to one sack this year. Yet, he’s still the cause of heightened pressure on the quarterback.

The durable tackle can still contribute as a strength to the offensive line, but $11.698 million is a bit of stretch. More importantly, he's owed a whopping $14.107 million in 2016.

Percy Harvin: Cut

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Harvin’s contract has been openly discussed since the midseason trade with the Seahawks. He will cost the Jets a sixth-round pick if released or a fourth-round pick if retained.

Next season, he’ll cost the Jets $10.5 million in cap space as their second highest-paid player on the roster.

Harvin scored one touchdown in eight games with New York.

The seven-year veteran was hampered by a heel injury and sore ribs toward the end of the season. Nonetheless, he was majorly ineffective aside from two games in 2014.

The history of injuries and the possible risk of bringing bad vibes to the locker room could be more costly than his projected salary.

If Harvin cannot come to terms with a significant pay cut, he should be released in favor of younger talent with less baggage in the draft.

Calvin Pace: Cut

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Calvin Pace didn’t underachieve this year, but at the age of 34 the sun is setting on his NFL career. The Jets should look to get younger at linebacker, especially if veteran David Harris is re-signed.

Gang Green’s defensive line has a strong core up front. However, the middle of the defense was often exposed by receiving tight ends. Harris was frequently targeted in coverage, and the Jets' core linebackers were unable to cover the space needed to make plays on intermediate passes.

While Pace isn’t the main culprit for the holes in the middle of the defense, the front office could look to replace him with an athletic linebacker better equipped to play further away from the line of scrimmage.

Quinton Coples is a natural defensive end playing out of position and cannot be expected to keep up with the likes of Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Gates or Julius Thomas within the AFC.

Pace hasn’t played his way out of New York, but he isn’t likely to do enough going forward.

Chris Johnson: Cut

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Chris Johnson’s gripes about his diminished role in New York were loud and clear.

He obviously feels he can shoulder the load as the primary running back in the backfield. Nonetheless, with Chris Ivory playing well, it’s unlikely Johnson will be pleased with his long-term role in New York.

Johnson is owed $3.5 million, but half the amount will become dead money if the running back is released—making the cut unlikely.

However, the new head coach might want to save an extra headache on an outspoken team bred by former head coach Rex Ryan.

When Johnson stated the obvious about winning more games, the context of his words indicated wanting more carries as well, per ESPN reporter Jane McManus.

He never had to share carries in Tennessee, but this will be the case in New York. If he refuses to buy into the system of the new regime, he must go.

Muhammad Wilkerson: Restructure/Extend

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Muhammad Wilkerson is projected to be the highest-paid defensive player on the roster and rightfully so. Last year, Wilkerson’s 10.5 sacks catapulted his value to new heights.

This year, he recorded six sacks and was ranked as the best defensive end against the run along with his teammate Sheldon Richardson in 2014.

The three-year defensive end will become a free agent at the end of the 2015 season, if the Jets fail to extend his contract. The hefty price tag would be a great investment to maintain the core of a stout defensive line.

Woody Johnson cleaned house on NFL’s Black Monday, which stalled contract talks between the front office and Wilkerson's agents. However, his deal should be a top priority when the new hires take their positions, attempting to resuscitate the franchise and its playoff hopes.