The Jets slapped safety Marcus Maye with the franchise tag earlier this offseason, but the two sides couldn’t agree on an extension during the ensuing negotiations. When asked about the stalled discussions and a lack of a long-term deal, Maye admitted that he stopped thinking about it once training camp started.
“Once that was over with, I just put it to the side and got back to the basics of playing football,” he said (via Jack Bell of the team’s website). “Once I get on the grass I never worry about anything else.”
Fortunately for the Jets, Maye seems to be prioritizing his on-field status over his salary. When asked if winning or salary was more important, the defensive back made it clear that it’s the former.
“Winning games is first, that’s what you play the game for,” Maye said. “Also taking care of your family and making sure you’re set up for the future. Control the controllables. If you have no control over something, there’s no point in getting all upset. If you’re not here to win games, then what are you doing this for?”
Entering his fifth NFL season, Maye is the longest-tenured Jets player on the roster. The former second-round pick has started each of his 54 games in the NFL, and that includes 32-straight starts between 2019 and 2020. Last season, the 28-year-old finished with a career-high 88 tackles to go along with two sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He’s expected to start alongside Lamarcus Joyner at safety.
“Once I get on the grass I never worry about anything else.”
I don’t know if Marcus stole that line from Josh Gordon but it made me laugh.
Maybe this helps get him his contract. Passed the Jamal Adams test. If they were going to commit to either, Maye is the impact player you want in your lockeroom as you change the culture. A classy team player who wants to win. Not a ‘Me first’ diva who quits when his big payday doesn’t come when he’s ready.
Except that he is not an impact player- therein lies the conundrum
Maye is an impact player. 2 fumbles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs in a season is great production. Adams may have been more of a “big play” guy than Maye is currently, but Maye is pretty good and has been consistent. It’s really unfortunate for the Jets that it didn’t work out in keeping both high end safeties that they drafted, but the contract that Adams got (which of course was enabled by what Seattle coughed up to trade for him) would have been too much for New York to be willing to hand out while rebuilding.
Of course, I’d say that the team situation prior to the Saleh hire was really what caused Adams’ discontent, and while Douglas has made a lot of strides in creating a professional atmosphere and making good decisions, he still has a long way to go in building a solid team culture. Once the Jets do that, negotiations like Maye’s (and Adams’ that would have normally occurred had he not been traded, for that matter) will be easier because there would more trust in the team both to win and to treat the player with respect. Again, I think Douglas is doing well so far, but he still has a lot of work to do in building that roster and team culture.