The New York Jets have informed Eric Decker that he will be either traded or released.
The OTA period is not typically a period of great interest. We hear news about workouts, not in pads, and it is over before we know it. But the world is different in the land of the New York Jets. The Jets can always take something that is part of the day-to-day of the NFL and make it interesting.
Tuesday, the Jets have done that, first releasing David Harris. And now this:
So first it was Harris, and now Decker. Tuesday was a rough day for New York Jets veterans. Just like Harris, this move is right in line with what the Jets have been doing for this entire offseason. Look at this tweet from Spotrac:
The #Jets have now cleared $49.9M in 2017 cap releasing:
LB Harris
CB Revis
WR Marshall
C Mangold
G Giacomini
K Folk
OT Clady
CB Milliner— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 6, 2017
That is clearly a lot of money saved. The move tells the world once again that the Jets are committed to rebuilding. Their No. 1 receiver is Quincy Enunwa with Robby Anderson right behind him. That is not to say that these two guys can't play, but it is one example of a position group that doesn't have a lot of experience.
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A team expecting a playoff run doesn't go to battle with that unproven of a group. The fact that they are saving all of this money means they are fully on board with a rebuild.
Like the Harris move, the timing is a little odd. Decker would have been an in demand player if he had been released prior to the free agency period. But on the other hand, getting Decker on the practice field does make him more appealing to other teams. He hasn't played since early last season, so if any teams are going to be interested, getting him back on the field helps.
With this impending move, some interest comes from the information that did become public. Eric Decker will either be released or traded. Look at what Mike Maccagnan had to say:
GM Mike Maccagnan: "I've talked to Eric. We have advised Eric that if a trade doesn't happen, we'll move forward [without him]." pic.twitter.com/2fechca6LF
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 6, 2017
Here is the question. If it is already public knowledge that Decker is going to be released, why would any team make a trade for him? Just wait the process out and he will be available for nothing. This is the part that is just so "Jets". Announce you are going to release the player, but also try to trade him. It actually makes no sense at all. This regime is supposed to keep things close to the vest. Now they have shown their hand.
Remember the touchdown Decker caught in overtime to beat the Patriots? That was just one of the great memories that he brought to New York. Now, that will be no more. Time to rebuild.
