JUNE 24: Hayes’ Jets tenure has come to an end. The team announced on Monday he has been released.
JUNE 23: Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019, cornerback Tae Hayes has been a journeyman as a depth piece in the NFL. The challenge of staying on NFL rosters will get a bit more difficult for Hayes after he was reportedly arrested this morning for marijuana possession, per Charean Williams of NBC Sports.
Coming undrafted out of Appalachian State, Hayes signed first with the Jaguars. He has since spent time with the Dolphins, Vikings, Cardinals, Panthers, Birmingham Stallions (USFL), Panthers again, Patriots, Lions, Ravens, and Jets. After his first two stops, Hayes has failed to stay in a single place for more than five months. In fact, his stints in Detroit and Baltimore each lasted less than a month, with both stints spanning from August 4 to September 12 last year.
Anywhere Hayes has gone, he’s functioned as a depth piece for the defense, either appearing in minimal snaps and special teams or playing as an emergency option. In his career, he’s appeared in games for six of the above teams, tallying 14 game appearances, 18 total tackles, two passes defensed, and a fumble recovery.
The arrest occurred in Hayes’ home state of Alabama just before four o’clock in the morning. He was released a little over an hour later after posting a $300 bond. The Jets released a statement saying that they are aware of the incident, but they are refraining from comment since it’s a pending legal matter.
Fringe player, he’ll be dumped within hours, but a marquee player could have a van load of the stuff or smack his baby momma and they’ll be evaluating the situation…
If he’s cut, it’ll be less about the “criminal” offense and more about him being a fringe player (as you mentioned) at a position of strength for the Jets.
“Less” being the key word. It’s the same in real life. I’ve been around enough to see how some people helped sign their own pink slip. If you’ve been in the league ten years, it doesn’t matter much. If you are an AP candidate, it probably doesn’t matter at all.
You have to stay in your lane until you retire.
Yeah, I definitely get what you’re saying. I imagine he was cut more so because he put himself in the position to be arrested (and subsequently made the organization question his decision making) rather than the actual possession of weed.
Like you said, he signed his own pink slip. He was expendable. Fringe players have to keep their heads down and work. It’s not worth the headache when there are other players who cause headaches but have the talent to get away with it.
Wait, does Tae play for my Chiefs? What’s he doing in the police blotter?
There’s fine line between how much of a real on field asset u are n how much criminality will get u kicked off team. Gonna be a bad boy u better produce sum big #s or indoor arena football here u come.
The lawyers really don’t care about your stats but a big fat wallet will always impress them. Unfortunately this guy never stayed anywhere long enough to get the paychecks lawyers like to see.
Alabama is prohibitionist when it comes to the wacky tabacky.