Jets coach Robert Saleh a fan of Denzel Mims' competitiveness
Denzel Mims wants to be dealt, according to his agent. Jets are listening but haven’t written him off. Credit: Jim McIsaac
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Denzel Mims was on the practice field Friday, playing what has become his usual role with the Jets. The third-year receiver lined up on the outside when Mike White and Chris Streveler were the quarterbacks and did some work on special teams.
Not much has changed since Mims, through his agent, requested a trade Thursday. Coach Robert Saleh said there definitely is a scenario in which Mims will be a part of the Jets’ 53-man team when they have to get to that number next week. “It’s not over,” Saleh said. “I’m not going to say it’s over with him.”
General manager Joe Douglas doesn’t want to cut Mims and will listen to offers. Carolina reportedly has shown interest, which makes sense. Panthers coach Matt Rhule coached Mims at Baylor.
Douglas said during an interview with WFAN on Friday: “He’s in our 53. He’s one of our better players. We’re going to do what’s best for the organization.”
Douglas also said he’s received “a few calls” on Mims, “nothing serious.”
Saleh said the Jets have to make the best possible decision for the team and doesn’t believe it will be a distraction if Mims is here next week.
“He’s one of our 53 best and this is the business part of it,” Saleh said. “In my heart [I believe], and you look at Denzel, it’s not ‘I don’t want to be a part of New York.’ It’s not ‘I don’t like my locker room, I don’t like my teammates, I don’t like my coaches.’ It’s ‘I want more,’ which is understandable.
“But at the same time, not to speak for Joe, all of us from a decision-making standpoint, we got to do what’s best for the organization. He’s one of our better players. We’ve got to find a way to make this work.”
Saleh said he had a good conversation with Mims before practice. He praised Mims’ professionalism, noting that he is very attentive in meetings and practices well.
Mims made a nice catch at the end of team periods, going up to get a ball in the end zone from Streveler, but came down with one foot out of bounds.
Saleh understands Mims’ frustration. The Jets drafted him in the second round in 2020 to be a big part of Adam Gase’s offense. Saleh and coordinator Mike LaFleur came in last year with a whole new system, and Mims doesn’t seem like the right fit.
He got off to a rough start last year, playing catch-up from the beginning after a nasty case of food poisoning forced him to miss all of OTAs. He fell low on the depth chart and caught only eight passes for an injury-riddled receiving corps.
Mims still hasn’t been able to work his way up the depth chart despite being healthy this year. He was the fourth receiver to get into Monday night’s preseason game against the Falcons and the Jets sat Corey Davis, Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios. Rookie Garrett Wilson also is ahead of Mims, as is Jeff Smith, who brings added value as a special teams player.
The Jets want versatile wideouts who can play all three receiver positions in their system. Saleh said Mims is still learning.
Saleh loves that Mims is so competitive and wants a bigger role, but he also acknowledged that it’s hard for him to jump Davis, Moore and Wilson. Saleh said they’re “going to get first dibs.” All three were signed or drafted since Saleh arrived and have skill sets that are different from Mims’.
“The good thing and obviously the bad thing for Denzel, our receiver group is pretty cool,” Saleh said. “When you look at Corey, Elijah and Garrett just for specifics, it is hard to break through to get in front of those guys to steal reps.
“You love his competitive nature and the fact that he feels like he’s one of those best three and he should be on the field and he wants those reps. I respect the heck out of it. I want him to keep fighting for that because you want that competition. The balance is understanding where you are as a football team, making the decisions that are best for the football team and this organization, and own your role and dominate your role until those opportunities come up.”
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