The Jets never intended to see Marcus Maye play for anyone else this season and took a strong step Monday to keep Maye on board, putting the franchise’s label on their talented safety, The Post confirmed.
The label, valued at about $ 11 million for the 2021 season, will keep Maye in the NFL agency’s free market when it begins on March 15 as the Jets continue to try to reach a long-term deal for the second round draft from 2017 choose. They have until July 15 to do something, otherwise Maye will play on the one-year label.
He will not want to do this. Maye, 28, wants a multi-year commitment. His agent, Erik Burkhardt, hit Twitter last week complaining that the Jets have so much money to spend below the salary cap – possibly up to $ 80 million – “yet they refuse to take care of their best player.” .
The label for Maye is not surprising. General Manager Joe Douglas said last week that Maye is “a valuable member of this organization,” praising him for being a “professional, intelligent, trustworthy professional who has provided outstanding leadership.” Our plan has not changed. We’re working to get Marcus here in the long run. ”
After last season’s relationship worsened with the safety of star Jamal Adams, resulting in Adams being sent to the Seahawks, the Jets could not part with Maye.
It was a career year for Maye in 2020. He had 82 combined attacks, 11 defending passes, two forced fumbles, two sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. All of this was a career high and he played in all 16 games for the third time in four years with the Jets.
The Jets went 2-14, but Maye at the end of the season stressed that she wants to stay around for reconstruction.
“Just being here for four years, stepping into Day 1, I loved this place,” Maye said. “I enjoyed the people here, the teammates. Even though there have been many changes over my years here, I have always been the same person. I always showed up to work enthusiastically and ready to go try to win a game for the Jets. ”
Maye will continue to appear to work as a key player in defense for new head coach Robert Saleh.