Source: Jets, Jamison Crowder agree to restructured deal
Jamison Crowder of the New York Jets the ball after a reception in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets wanted Jamison Crowder to take a pay cut, and the productive slot receiver agreed.
An NFL source confirmed that the Jets and Crowder reached a deal on a restructured deal that will pay him less than the $10 million he was owed in 2021. The terms are not yet known.
The Jets, who improved their receiving group this offseason, had all the leverage in this negotiation. None of Crowder’s salary for this season was guaranteed. If Crowder didn’t agree to rework his contract, the Jets could have just waived him.
General manager Joe Douglas was not with the Jets when Crowder signed his three-year, $28.5 million contract in 2019. But Crowder has been the Jets’ most productive offensive player the past two seasons, and first year-year coach Robert Saleh made it clear they wanted him on the team. Saleh was always confident a deal would be struck.
"Jamison’s definitely got a role here and we’re excited to have him," Saleh said.
Crowder was not in attendance for the Jets’ voluntary OTAs while the two sides were negotiating this deal. Saleh said last week that he expected Crowder to be with the Jets for minicamp, which begins on Tuesday.
The Jets have a much more talented and deeper receiver room than in recent years, which could have eased the loss had they cut Crowder. They signed Corey Davis and Keelan Cole as free agents and drafted Elijah Moore in the second round.
Moore, a versatile receiver who has lined up in the slot, and Cole had some good moments during OTAs. Slot receiver Braxton Berrios also was a popular target for rookie quarterback Zach Wilson.
They all got extra reps with Crowder skipping OTAs and Davis and second-year receiver Denzel Mims missing time because of injury and illness.
Crowder only strengthens the group. He’s led the Jets in each of the last two seasons in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Crowder has caught 137 passes for 1,532 yards and 12 touchdowns as a Jet.
Another familiar face returned to the Jets facility on Monday with safety Marcus Maye reporting for mini-camp. Maye stayed away from OTAs while his agent tried to work out a long-term deal with the Jets.
Maye signed his $10.6 million franchise tag. The two sides have until July 15 to work out a contract or Maye will play 2021 on the tag.
