FLORHAM PARK, NJ – Safety Marcus Maye, who turns 28 on Tuesday, received an early birthday gift from the New York Jets: the franchise label, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Maye, ready to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time, is the first Jets player since defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson in 2016 to receive the designation.
The value of the franchise label for a security is estimated at $ 10.5 million, which will be the salary guaranteed by Maye in 2021 if the two parties cannot reach a long-term agreement by July 15. million in its first four seasons.
Jets general manager Joe Douglas said last week that the organization’s goal is to close Maye with a new contract, but it appears they have decided they will not reach an agreement until Tuesday at 4 p.m .: 00 ET. It seems that this term could be rejected while the salary limit is completed.
Maye’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, criticized the Jets on Twitter last week, saying the Jets “refuse to take care of the best player, captain and MVP voted by the team.”
Douglas insisted that acrimony would have no impact on the negotiations, saying the two sides had engaged in “productive talks”.
“Look, this is part of the business, part of the negotiations,” Douglas said. “I don’t see this as affecting our ability to do something with Marcus that is good for both him and the team.”
Maye, a four-year-old, flourished last season as the undisputed leader of the secondary. Playing Jamal Adams safely for the first time – the unfortunate Adams was traded to the Seattle Seahawks before training camp – Maye recorded two interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles.
Known for his quiet and consistent presence, Maye went out of her way after a last second lost at home to the Las Vegas Raiders, openly criticizing defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for calling a full blitz to the Raiders’ winning touchdown – a tactic that seemed overly aggressive. The next day, Williams was fired.
The blow to Maye is his lack of interceptions – just six in his first four seasons, which ranks 28th among NFL feats.