A year after giving Braxton Berrios a $12MM deal, the Jets will part ways with the young wide receiver. They are releasing Berrios, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
This separation comes after the sides attempted to rework the slot receiver/returner’s deal, per Schefter. The Jets will save $5MM by cutting Berrios, who had agreed to a two-year, $12MM contract ($7MM fully guaranteed) to stay in New York last year. This release will move the Jets past $6MM in cap space. The team will undoubtedly be creating more space in the days to come.
A first-team All-Pro return man in 2021, Berrios did not make the same type of impact in the passing game he had prior to re-signing with the Jets. Following a 431-yard receiving season in 2021, Berrios totaled just 145 yards and no touchdowns through the air in 2022. The Jets reduced Berrios’ workload, playing him on just 297 offensive snaps — nearly 100 less than his 2021 total.
Berrios, 27, will try his hand in free agency again. Although this year’s wide receiver market has not generated much buzz, Berrios may find it difficult to land a $6MM-per-year accord after the season he just completed. But the former Patriots draftee should have a chance to catch on elsewhere soon. The 5-foot-9 pass catcher spent the past four seasons with the Jets, working as their primary return man during that span. Berrios’ 102-yard kick-return score helped the team to a win over the Jaguars in 2021, propelling him to All-Pro status.
The Jets still have Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis and Elijah Moore among their receiving corps. Despite being connected to trades for a while, Denzel Mims also remains on the roster.
I don’t know why I thought his deal was longer than 2 years. Huh. Good move though, he was pretty bad last season after getting that extension
No need to pay a return specialist that much money when your cap situation is tight. Not that he’s a bad player, but the fact that he was Zach Wilson’s favorite receiver was probably a bad sign about Wilson.
The Jets took a reasonable gamble by essentially overpaying Berrios a bit but not getting tied down long-term. And now they’re getting out of it at the right time. Like you said, it’s not that Berrios is a bad player, but if the Jets are serious about improving their team, this move makes proper sense.
Berrios was the Jets’ most (only) reliable option at that time. It was not an unreasonable move to make, and he can definitely fill a niche role on an offense as a third receiver. So, to your point, Berrios is not altogether useless.
Gotta make room for one of Rogers pet receivers. Corey Davis will be the next cut
They also just have to make room period. Davis is a nice player, but he’s banged up and probably not worth the cap hit for this roster construction, and the contract was designed to make it extremely easy to cut him this offseason.
Patriots will bring him back on the cheap.
Making room for Cobb and Lazard.
Pointing in the other direction, if the Jets cut Corey Davis, I could see him being a great fit in Green Bay. Their receiver group has great explosiveness and youth. A dependable veteran receiver and blocker could fit well with them.
Typical jets move. Cutting a pro bowler one year later, a rare good player on a crappy team. Why are mekhi and zach wilson even on the roster? Hope the hawks pick him up.
A special teams pro bowler. Come on.
After a little research I understand your logic. However your discounting of his pro bowl because of him being a special teams player i don’t get. Special teams are just as important as most other positions. However he was a niche player that the jets definitely won’t need now that zach wilson is going nowhere.