Jets and Bryce Huff will talk, but franchise tag, 'discount' appear to be off table
Bryce Huff #47 of the Jets celebrates his sack in the first half against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. Credit: Jim McIsaac
INDIANAPOLIS — Joe Douglas has had conversations with Bryce Huff’s agent and they will continue talking this week at the NFL Combine.
Huff, who led the Jets with 10 sacks last season, likely will be a sought-after free agent. The Jets would like to re-sign Huff, but Douglas acknowledged the Jets don’t plan to use the franchise tag. The tag for defensive ends is $21.3 million.
“Those conversations are going to pick up as we get going here,” Douglas said. “This is a big week just to have a lot of different discussions with a lot of different agents. Bryce is an outstanding player. He definitely deserves this opportunity to see where he is in the open market.”
Huff could command a contract starting at $14 million annually, perhaps more. He said at the end of last season he wouldn’t give the Jets a discount.
“I worked so hard I feel like I owe it to myself and my family and the people around me to maximize my earnings,” Huff said.
Saleh at Combine
Robert Saleh will attend the Combine after all. Douglas that Saleh will be there Saturday and Sunday for meetings where “a couple of interesting situations could present themselves.” Saleh has stayed back and worked at the Jets' Florham Park facility the past two years.
“We had a good discussion recently and there’s some good meetings coming up, some good opportunities coming up,” Douglas said. “We both thought it was a good opportunity to meet with some people and kind of explore that landscape we talked about.
NFLPA report card
The Jets ranked 21st in team report cards done by the Players’ Association. The No. 1 issue among the players was how the coaching staff manages the time, citing a “lack of efficiency around their scheduling.” Saleh received a B grade and owner Woody Johnson a B-.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
