In June, D.J. Reed indicated he would be open to remaining with the Jets beyond the 2024 season. The pending free agent cornerback later confirmed, though, that he would not engage in contract talks with an eye on hitting the open market in the spring. 
That remains the case at this point, and with only one week remaining in the campaign Reed is well aware he is on the verge of free agency. The 28-year-old said in September he would play out the season and then evaluate his situation upon the expiration of his deal, a three-year, $33MM pact. That contract was signed after the end of Reed’s two-year Seahawks tenure, one which was preceded by a pair of campaigns with the 49ers.
The contract has provided the Jets with strong value given Reed’s consistent play as a full-time starter. The former fifth-rounder has remained durable throughout his New York tenure, serving as an effective complement on the perimeter to Sauce Gardner and amassing 31 pass deflections in 45 games. Reed has allowed completion percentages ranging between 57.1% and 63.5% in coverage and has been charged with only six touchdowns surrendered as the nearest defender as a Jet. Week 18 could be his final game with the team, however.
“I was going to have 10 picks,” Reed said when reflecting on his expectations for 2024 in an interview with Go Long’s Tyler Dunne. “We were going to be elite. I thought that we’d be up in the score late in games and teams would have to throw the ball and I’m going to make plays on the ball. I’m ready to go to free agency, bro. I’m ready to see what’s next for me.”
The Jets worked out an extension with Michael Carter II just before the start of the season, and he is in place to remain the team’s top slot corner through 2027. Gardner will be in line for second contract this offseason, and it would come as no surprise if signing him to a lucrative long-term pact became one of the top priorities once New York’s new general manager and head coach pairing is in place. That may not leave enough funds to retain Reed, whose age and track record could make him an attractive option to any number of outside suitors.
Other corners on expiring contracts include Carlton Davis, Charvarius Ward, Brandon Stephens, Byron Murphy and Benjamin St-Juste. Reed will certainly be a name to watch as part of that group and a new Jets pact will of course remain a possibility until March. Given his comments, though, it would not come as a shock if he were to depart in the near future.
He’s getting up there in years and been banged up this season, but he’s been great for the Jets. Given how often top of the market cornerback deals go south, finding someone like him at a lower tier might be sharp for a contender with a need.
I’d like the Steelers to get him to pair with Porter Jr. and drop CB lower on their draft needs list.
Not worth a big deal. Zero time first team all pro, zero time second team all pro, and zero time pro bowl. Move on and spend elsewhere.
No one is calling him a superstar, but he’s a very good starter at a valuable position where a lot of teams have needs and I doubt it would take a long deal to get him.
I didn’t call him a super star, and there are plenty pro bowl players who aren’t.
I said he’s not worth a big deal. He probably will get a solid deal from a team but I don’t see the value in paying non-impact corners. They trend similarly to closers in baseball, up and down.
Watch his film from this week. Nobody should be looking to sign Reed.