Sources: C.J. Uzomah to be released by Jets
Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets are clearing more money for free agency next week.
Tight end C.J. Uzomah will be released, according to league sources. This move will open up another $5.3 million and put the Jets $26 million under the salary cap, according to overthecap.com. Uzomah was set to count for $11.2 million on the Jets’ cap.
Left guard Laken Tomlinson was released last week, which freed up $8.14 million.
The Jets could create more room and flexibility by restructuring some contracts, most notably linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Their cap numbers for 2024 are $21.476 million and $16.364 million, respectively.
Uzomah’s release does not come as a surprise. Tyler Conklin has been the Jets’ most effective and productive tight end over the past two seasons and could receive a contract extension. Lindenhurst’s Jeremy Ruckert is expected to have an increased role this season.
The Jets also have been linked to former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the No. 10 pick, although it’s more likely that they will take an offensive tackle.
Uzomah has been a disappointment since signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the Jets in 2022. He caught just 29 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns in 27 games.
The former Cincinnati Bengal had eight catches for 58 yards and a touchdown last year. His season was littered with critical penalties and drops. It led to a diminished role before Uzomah suffered a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve and required season-ending surgery.
The Jets have many areas that they need to address in this critical offseason. Rebuilding the offensive line, strengthening the wide receiver position and adding a backup quarterback will be general manager Joe Douglas’ priorities.
The wide receiver market has become watered down after Mike Evans signed a contract extension with Tampa Bay and Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman got franchise tagged. Douglas could try acquiring Davante Adams, but the Raiders don’t seem interested in trading him.
The top free-agent receivers include Calvin Ridley, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Gabe Davis, Darnell Mooney, Tyler Boyd and Odell Beckham Jr.
The Jets also would like to strike deals with some of their own players before the NFL’s free-agent negotiation period begins on Monday.
They did not slap the franchise tag on their top free agent, edge rusher Bryce Huff by Tuesday’s deadline. Douglas said at the NFL Combine last week that they wouldn’t franchise Huff. The tag for defensive ends is $21.3 million.
Huff likely will hit the market and could be in for a big payday after leading the Jets with 10 sacks last season. If the Jets lose Huff, last year’s first-round pick Will McDonald likely will slide into that spot and play much more than he did as a rookie.
Two players who the Jets definitely want to bring back are punter Thomas Morstead and kicker Greg Zuerlein. They’re both coming off strong seasons. Douglas could work on locking them up this week.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
