The New York Jets opted against using the NFL franchise tag on defensive lineman Bryce Huff as the deadline passed on Tuesday, March 5 at 4 pm. Had they chosen to do so, it would have required a payment of $21.3 million for a one-year contract. As a result, Huff, a skilled pass rusher, is poised to enter free agency next week when the new league year commences on Wednesday, March 13 at 4 pm.
Latest Update on Huff and the Jets
Zack Rosenblatt from The Athletic noted that it was no surprise that the team didn’t mention Huff on social media. He anticipates that the Jets will probably allow him to become a free agent, expressing doubt about his return unless his market value turns out to be lower than expected.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, it’s projected that Huff could secure a contract worth $15 million annually. Despite earning just $6.4 million over his first four NFL seasons as an undrafted free agent, he’s now poised to finally earn a substantial paycheck. Following the regular season finale, Huff made it clear to the media that he won’t settle for a discounted deal. As SNY’s Connor Hughes put it at the NFL Combine, the team willing to offer the most money will likely secure Huff’s services.
The Next Step in the Process for the Jets
The hope for the Huff-Jets connection is still alive, despite no franchise tag being applied. Negotiations can still occur until the NFL’s legal tampering period begins on March 11. During this time, the Jets hold exclusive rights to discuss a contract with Huff. While there’s some pressure to finalize a deal, it seems the Jets are open to letting Huff explore his options in the market. General manager Joe Douglas indicated that Huff deserves the chance to gauge his value elsewhere. However, it’s uncertain if Huff will give the Jets a chance to match offers. There’s potential for a bidding war, considering the difficulty in evaluating Huff’s market worth, as noted by Brian Costello. Huff’s role as a rotational player adds complexity to determining his value, particularly given his age and position’s importance in the league.
