$33 million Jets starter’s brutally forthright take on contract

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We might be seeing the start of the end.

 

DJ Reed, a New York Jets cornerback, was asked about approaching the final year of his $33 million contract during mandatory minicamp.

“There has been a relaxed mood. Reed told the reporters on June 12 that he signed a three-year contract and expects to play three years here before leaving for free agency in 2025. “I do love New York, I love playing here, love the coaches, love the organization, Woody [Johnson] took care of me last time, and I love my teammates.”

One of the best free agent signings in franchise history. A leader. A person with a lunch pail.

He intends to become a free agent next summer when his contract expires. He’d like to stay, but the ball is in ‘the Jets’ court.

 

Sounds like the Jets will let things play out.

Reed’s comments to the media confirm what ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported on “The Flight Deck” podcast.

“[Contract] negotiations for both [DJ Reed and Michael Carter II] right now are nonexistent,” he said.

While it hasn’t happened yet, it doesn’t appear to be coming later this summer either.

Cimini also stated that he feels Jets owner Woody Johnson is “done shelling out the big bucks” and does not anticipate him spending money on any other major contracts before the season.

Reed just stated that the ball is in “the Jets’ court” if they want to do something with him before training camp.

Despite being in a contract year, Reed chose not to skip voluntary OTAs or the two-day mandated minicamp.

“Well, Connor [Hughes], every situation is different,” Reed replied when asked about turning up. “For me personally, financially, my family is doing well, and I enjoy football, so I opted to be here. That’s my decision. Everyone makes different selections and prefers different ways to move around. [There are] certain guys who believe they should be making X amount of money regardless of the deal they signed. That is justifiable, therefore each circumstance is unique.”

 

Jets Urged to Extend ‘Essential’ Piece of the Puzzle.

Reed, 27, is set to reach free agency next offseason as one of the top names available.

However, if Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report had his way, Reed would never enter the open market. He wrote a letter on Sunday, June 23, arguing that Reed “is essential for the upcoming season and beyond.”

“While the New York Jets deal with a potential holdout of Haason Reddick this offseason, attention should turn to extending corner DJ Reed,” according to Fowler. “The Jets currently don’t have much wiggle room with the cap ($6.2 million in available money ranks 30th in the NFL), but they are expected to have upwards of $60 million to deal with in 2025.2024 remains a critical campaign for the Jets’ immediate and long-term future, and signing Reed for the long run would be a wise move by GM Joe Douglas.”

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic is astounded that the Jets are “in no rush” to extend Reed this offseason.

Reed has proven to be one of the most successful free agent signings in Jets history. Initially, the $33 million contract he was granted appeared to be an overpayment based on previous performance. However, it has soon become an outstanding deal.

According to Over The Cap, Reed is the NFL’s 13th highest-paid cornerback, earning $11 million per year.

Reed has two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 21 pass deflections in two seasons in New York, and he has started 32 of 34 games.

 

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