Business is booming in the NFL, but the players that help create billions of dollars in revenue still don’t have it as good as players in MLB and the NBA when it comes to guaranteed cash. The league’s current CBA doesn’t expire until after the 2020 season, but Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall would like to see the players’ union fight for serious contract reform in the next round of talks.
“I think it would be the biggest fight we’ve ever had to get that done,” Marshall told Manish Mehta of the Daily News.
Marshall also spoke specifically about DeAndre Hopkins‘ brief holdout and intimated that the Texans star didn’t go far enough by only staying away from the team for 24 hours. Marshall acknowledges that there “shouldn’t be any holdouts” but he sees them as a necessary evil as teams are often unwilling to discuss a new deal until they have to.
Here’s more on Gang Green:
- Many would say that the writing is on the wall for quarterback Geno Smith, but the Jets’ former starter won’t rule out a future with the team in 2017 and beyond, NJ.com’s Connor Hughes writes. He also claims that he never considered asking for a trade, despite being parked squarely behind veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. “Because I’m not afraid of anything,” Smith said when pressed on the matter. “I know I can be out there and win games. I know I can be great. But right now, it’s time for me to practice patience.” Aside from Fitzpatrick, the Jets also have former Baylor QB Bryce Petty and rookie Christian Hackenberg on the roster, as shown on their Roster Resource depth chart.
- The Jets’ trade for offensive lineman Ryan Clady will prove to be a smart move, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com opines. By acquiring Clady from Denver, GM Mike Maccagnan bought low on a former Pro Bowler, giving them a very capable fill-in for the retired D’Brickashaw Ferguson. The Jets’ first choice was to sign free agent Kelechi Osemele, but Gang Green found a cheaper alternative in the soon-to-be 30-year-old.
- Could the Jets carry all four quarterbacks on the roster in Week 1? Coach Todd Bowles claims that it’s a possibility.