Jeremy Kerley Released by Jets: Latest Comments and Reaction

Less than two years after signing a $14 million extension to stay with the New York Jets, Jeremy Kerley is out of a job.

The Jets released the veteran wideout Wednesday, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Kerley, 27, was due a base salary of $2.5 million and had a cap hold of $3.1 million, according to Over the Cap. The Jets will save around $1.3 million by moving on. 

Kerley recorded 16 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns last season. Those numbers were by far the worst of his career, as the TCU product saw new acquisitions Brandon Marshall and Devin Smith usurp snaps. Kerley was on the field for only 20.1 percent of the Jets' offensive snaps in 2015, a drop of more than 47 percent from a year prior, per Football Outsiders.

"I feel like I am a quarterback’s best friend," Kerley said regarding his reduction in playing time in September, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. "I don't know, that's how I feel. I just feel like I move differently than everybody else out on the field."

Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey apparently felt differently, and it's hard to quibble with the results. The Jets finished 10th in total offense and 11th in scoring offense last season, improvements from 22nd and 28th in 2014, respectively. Football Outsiders ranked the Jets 14th offensively a year after placing them 27th.

While part of that is due to a talent improvement, it's fair to say the Jets didn't take a nosedive with their "quarterback's best friend" on the bench. Kerley was understandably unhappy in his role, so it was probably best for both sides to move on. The Jets don't get much cap relief here but are separated from a potential malcontent, while Kerley has a chance to find a bigger role elsewhere.

It's unclear where that increase in playing time would come. At best, Kerley is a decent WR3. He has only four receptions of 40 or more yards in his entire career and none since 2012. His numbers have precipitously declined each of the last three seasons, and Football Outsiders ranked him as one of the worst players at his position in 2014.

A team will probably give Kerley a one-year deal in hopes he can work out of its slot, but don't expect an avalanche of interest. 

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.