The Jets have cleared a good deal of cap space in the past week by parting ways with offensive linemen Ryan Clady, Nick Mangold, and Breno Giacomini, linebacker Erin Henderson, and kicker Nick Folk, but one veteran may not face the same fate as that cadre. Linebacker David Harris is in “no immediate danger” of being released, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.
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Harris, 33, started 15 games for Gang Green last season and played 250 more defensive snaps than any other Jets linebacker, grading as the NFL’s No. 35 ‘backer, per Pro Football Focus. All told, Harris racked up 94 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a half-sack in his 10th New York campaign. He’s started 147 contests during his Jets tenure, and if he starts all 16 games in 2017, he’ll move into fifth all-time among Jets players (right behind Mangold).
Harris is due a base salary of $6.5MM in 2017, but because none of that total is guaranteed, and no prorated bonus money remains on Harris’ deal, the Jets could hypothetically part ways with the veteran linebacker without incurring any dead money. As Cimini writes, however, Harris is the leader of the Jets’ defense, so perhaps the club wants to retain him even if they’re going through a rebuilding stage.