FLORHAM PARK, NJ – In a cost-cutting move, the New York Jets on Tuesday released defensive veteran Henry Anderson, who has started 24 games for them in the past three seasons.
By cutting Anderson’s $ 9.5 million ceiling tax, the Jets will save $ 8.2 million – the sum of his unguaranteed base salary. The remaining $ 1.3 million will remain a “dead” charge.
This gives the Jets more than $ 75 million in ceiling space as they prepare for the free agency.
Anderson, 29, was a key player in their defensive rotation. In 2019 and ’20, he played more snaps (942) than every Jets player except Quinnen Williams. Jets can absorb loss, as the defensive line is one of the few areas where their depth is solid.
The Jets made a smart deal to acquire Anderson during the 2018 draft, sending a selection in the seventh round to the Indianapolis Colts. He flourished in New York, recording seven career sacks in the final year of his rookie contract.
Anderson turned his big year into a three-year, $ 25.2 million contract with $ 17 million in guarantees in the first two years. Since the contract, its bag production has dropped dramatically – just 1.5 in the last 29 games. He played every game in 2020, finishing with a total of 42 attacks.
Anderson had the third highest percentage of runs among defensive players with at least 500 snaps, according to NFL NextGen Statistics.