The Jets began trimming their roster on Tuesday, when they released defensive lineman Henry Anderson.
The move eliminated $ 8.2 million in salary cap space for the Jets, bringing the estimated total to $ 76.1 million, the second-highest in the NFL, according to Over The Cap. The Jets are able to be big spenders when the free agency officially opens on March 17th.
Anderson’s cut wasn’t a move the Jets needed to make to clear the space. They already had enough. But Anderson’s production did not match his salary. Anderson was scheduled to earn $ 8.2 million in 2021, with a salary cap of $ 9.5 million. Anderson had only half a sack in 2020 and had only one sack in 2019.
The move from Anderson was an easy call for general manager Joe Douglas, as the 29-year-old no longer had money guaranteed in the contract. The move had been expected this season.
The biggest question is whether Douglas will continue to chop the list to free up more headroom. There are no other decisions that would be as easy as cutting Anderson. The Jets could eliminate $ 10.3 million by releasing wide receiver Jamison Crowder, but he has been their main receiver in each of the last two seasons. Douglas could also make some moves on the offensive line – where the attack George Fant (savings of $ 7.8 million), goalkeeper Alex Lewis ($ 5.1 million) and goalkeeper Greg Van Roten (3.4 million dollars) are possible losses.
Former GM Mike Maccagnan acquired Anderson during the 2018 draft, trading a sixth-round pick to the Colts for the 6-meter and 6-yard defensive line. Anderson paid immediate dividends, coming up with seven sacks in 2018, tied for the team. Jets rewarded him with a three-year deal, $ 25.2 million (with $ 17 million guaranteed) in March 2019.
But Anderson has struggled to make an impact in the last two seasons. A shoulder injury slowed him down in 2019, and in 2020, while he played well against the race, he was a non-factor as a passenger. He started eight games last season and played in all 16. In three seasons, he started 24 of the 45 games he played for the Jets.
In addition to the $ 8.2 million savings over the salary cap, Anderson’s release leaves $ 1.3 million in dead money.