We learned on Tuesday that the Jets were planning on trading or releasing veteran Eric Decker by the end of the week. However, it’s sounding like the wideout may be sticking around New York for a bit longer.
On Friday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that Decker’s “situation” would continue through the weekend. Today, former NFL executive Michael Lombardi suggested (via Twitter) that the organization may be waiting for free agent wideout Jeremy Maclin to choose a destination. Once the talented receiver is off the board, the “trade market for Decker might increase.”
With the Jets going all-in on their rebuild efforts, they decided earlier this week that they’d be letting go of the veteran wideout. Decker originally joined the organization on a five-year, $36.25MM contract in 2014, and he averaged around 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns during his first two seasons with the team. However, an injury in 2016 limited him to only three games played. By trading or releasing Decker, the Jets will save $7.5MM in cap space in each of the next two seasons, so the financial incentives are rather obvious.
Since news broke of Decker’s impending release or trade, rumors emerged that the Jets had approached the Ravens regarding a potential swap. The Lions have also been mentioned as a logical landing spot, but the Vikings apparently don’t have much interest.