The Jets have moved on from their former starting running back. The team announced that they’ve waived RB Michael Carter.
The 2021 fourth-round pick led the Jets backfield as a rookie, collecting 964 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. He was expected to take a back seat to Breece Hall in 2022 but was inserted back into the starting lineup following his teammate’s season-ending injury. While he started 10 of his 16 appearances last season, Carter wasn’t nearly as productive during his second season in the NFL, finishing the year with only 690 yards from scrimmage.
With Hall healthy and the Jets signing Dalvin Cook, Carter was buried on the depth chart this year. He saw most of his work on third downs, hauling in 15 receptions for 68 yards. Carter also had another 38 yards on the ground. As ESPN’s Rich Cimini notes, Carter was benched during Sunday’s loss to the Raiders after being penalized for a chop-block.
After that game, coach Robert Saleh hinted that changes could be coming to the offense. And as Cimini notes, cutting Carter sends a clear message to a struggling offense that no one is safe.
“We’re looking at some things, some different personnel changes, which I’m going to keep here with me, but we’re looking across the board to see if we can find a way to generate some offense,” Saleh said.
Still, considering Carter’s production during his rookie campaign, it shouldn’t take long for the running back to find his next squad. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Carter should have some suitors on the waiver wire.
With Carter now out of the picture, the Jets are likely going to give fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda any leftover snaps at the position. The Pitt product is known for his elite speed and could add a spark to an offense that’s struggling to find the end zone.
“And as Cimini notes, cutting Carter sends a clear message to a struggling offense that no one is safe.”
It does? Cutting the third string RB? You say that by cutting Wilson, Cobb, or Lazard, or by firing Hackett. Everyone knows that whoever Rodgers likes is safe
I will be very surprised if he makes it through waivers. He’s no starter, but he can and should be helping some team.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him in Buffalo.
He will probably go on and win a Super Bowl somehow because Jets
Wouldn’t mind New England either
Quote from HC
On Monday, Saleh backed embattled quarterback Wilson, saying, “I’ve never felt like making one guy the fall guy is going to make everyone around him better.”
But yet Carter got cut to send a message…
Carter didn’t get cut to send a message, he got cut because he regressed badly last season and then completely sucked this year. Abanikanda should have been active over him since week 1, but the idea that Carter is some great passing back kept him active. Cook should be shown the door, too. It should be Hall and Abanikanda from here on out.
Saleh is a dead man walking. Black Monday is good riddance
Hahahaha
Yeah, Michael Carter is the problem.
Jets. Smh
Uhh, he’s certainly part of it. Should they keep around bad players because the rest of the offense is performing poorly? He’s been terrible for a year and a half.
My favorite part if this response is the uhhh. Like its obvious.
Because Carter had 8 carries. But sure, blame him.
And keeping bad players around – should we ask Zach Wilson and Dalvin Cook their thoughts?
It is obvious to anyone who watches the Jets play or understands their roster construction. Referencing his 8 carries shows how little you know about his situation to act like the Jets are being “the same old Jets” here or using him as a scapegoat.
He’s a third down back who is a horrible blocker and cost the team on multiple occasions on Sunday. He has 2 drops (which really should have been ruled as 3) for a 10% drop percentage (which again, should be higher if it was ruled correctly) and 15 catches for just 68 yards. Of his 23 times with the ball, he has zero broken tackles. To top it off, Izzy Abanikanda should be getting a chance to prove himself.
Zach Wilson and Dalvin Cook sucking at their jobs does not mean Michael Carter should get a pass for being terrible or that they shouldn’t ensure a superior talent gets opportunities. But fwiw, I think Cook should also be released and I Wilson should head to the bench. Semien should be given an opportunity.
Yes. You are right.
Firing the guy who only plays 10 percent of snaps is absolutely the right call. He clearly has expectations out of whack being the third running back.
There is absolutely no room for this kind of play.
Thank you for your clarification. The Jets are on track now. This fixed it. Message received. I apologize. This isn’t the same old Jets.
I think you’re mistaking this as something bigger than it is lol he is not being used as some scapegoat for the offense being atrocious. Bad players get cut every week and he’s a bad player, plain and simple.
This will not “fix” anything, but it will allow for meaningful snaps to be given to a rookie. There was a 0% chance he was going to be re-signed so why not move on now and let a young guy who showed a lot of promise in the preseason get his feet wet in the offense?
I mean, I read the article.
Seems to me the biggest upgrade would have been QB.
But you are entitled to your own opinion.
“We’re looking at some things, some different personnel changes, which I’m going to keep here with me, but we’re looking across the board to see if we can find a way to generate some offense,” Saleh said
I mean, you’re absolutely right that in terms of fixing the offense, upgrades should have been made in multiple areas.
Bringing in an OT and an OG would have been nice since we’re starting some 3rd stringers at this point. I absolutely think we should’ve looked into Dobbs and Brissett at the deadline, too. I guess Douglas didn’t want to part with the draft capital necessary to do so and pretty much just waved the white flag instead. So I guess we’ll just tinker on the edges of the roster. There’s not much else to do besides maybe cutting Uzomah so Ruckert can get more PT and Kuntz can be activated, though.
So, Im glad we agree it was an attempt to change the offense by firing the third stringer who is also happens to play the most replaceable position in football.
I guess? I don’t really agree with that for a variety of reasons, and I’m not sure how I implied that I do. I’ve explained my perspective pretty clear: it’s an opportunity to give reps to a promising player at the expense of a bad one. That’s all it is. This is a minor move, not a transaction intended to fundamentally change anything. It shouldn’t be treated as anything more than it is.
Stagnant O so cuts the 3rd stringer who rarely played.
Way to go boys, this’ll get Zach throwing touchdowns every possession!
Not sure why everyone thinks this move was about “sending a message”. To me it looked like Cook finally got himself into game shape, thus the RB3 roster spot was more valuable than Carter himself. Saleh as much said so with his “looking at personnel changes” comment. Not sure there is anything noteworthy they can do at this point in the year however, as the trade deadline is past and there aren’t any unsigned free agents out there that can make a difference.
Jets skill players can’t block. The TEs, WRs, and backs make killer penalties as a result. That’s on the coaching staff.
Unless fabricated, it was reported that teams had contacted the Jets about interest in MichaelCarter. To me, they should have moved him, possibly acquiring the sixth rounder needed to acquire DOBBS.