NFL Rumors: Jets Cut Second Highest-Paid Defensive Player, Giants Could Lose Top Free Agent

The New York Jets have reportedly chosen to move on from one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive players. The New York Giants have to decide if they want to pay a former Jet like one of the top players at his position.

According to The New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta, the Jets have informed Trumaine Johnson that he’ll be cut before the start of free agency. The cornerback signed a five-year, $72.5 million contract with the team two years ago.

The #Jets have informed CB Trumaine Johnson that he will be released before the new league year, per @MMehtaNYDN. The move will save $3M in cap, while leaving $12M in dead money.

A free agent acquisition that didn't pan out at all.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 9, 2020

Johnson’s $11 million salary for the 2020 season was set to become fully guaranteed on March 20. Players are officially allowed to sign elsewhere as free agents on March 18.

An average yearly salary of $14.5 million made Johnson the second-highest-paid cornerback in the league. The veteran didn’t perform like a top defensive back in his two seasons with the Jets, playing just 17 games. Johnson has never been selected to the Pro Bowl.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley is the only Jets defender with a higher average salary than Johnson.

The Jets traded Leonard Williams to the Giants in October. The defensive tackle is unsigned for next season, and it won’t be cheap for the Giants to keep the former first-round pick in New York.

The Jets received a 2020 third-round draft pick in the deal. If Williams signs with a new team, the Jets get the Giants’ fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, as well. The pick becomes a fourth-rounder if Williams stays with the Giants.

The #Giants have an interesting decision to make late this week: Do they franchise tag star DL Leonard Williams? Sources say the two sides are not close on a contract extension and Williams will have a strong market. The tag is a possibility, but so is letting him hit the market.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2020

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Williams and the Giants aren’t close in contract negotiations. New York has the option to use the franchise tag ($15.5 million) or the transition tag ($12.32 million) on Williams.

Williams only had 17 sacks in four and a half seasons with the Jets. The 25-year-old had a half-sack and 26 tackles in eight games with the Giants.

Aaron Donald is the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackle with a $22.5 million average yearly salary. Five defensive tackles make at least $15 million per season.

The Giants have lost more than 10 games in three straight seasons. The Jets have had four straight losing seasons.