HEADLINES

New York Jets News & Rumors

Harrison Butker Placed On IR; Chiefs Sign Spencer Shrader Off Jets’ P-Squad

November 15th, 2024 at 11:10am CST by Sam Robinson

NOVEMBER 15: The Chiefs have indeed placed Butker on injured reserve, announcing the move on Friday. The Shrader addition is also now official, and he will now have the opportunity to handle kicking duties for at least the next four games. Butker revealed on social media his surgery was a success, and he will now turn his attention to recovery ahead of a return to action as quickly as possible.

NOVEMBER 14: With the Chiefs winning the bulk of their games by one score, their ace kicker has been crucial to their 9-0 record. The two-time defending champions will soon have a new kicker due to a Harrison Butker injury.

Butker is battling a left knee injury, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, and is likely heading to IR. The injury is expected to sideline the longtime Kansas City specialist for at least three weeks; an IR stay would shelve him for four. As a result, the Chiefs plan to sign Spencer Shrader off the Jets’ practice squad, Pelissero adds.

This injury will require surgery, per Pelissero, as Butker will have an arthroscopic procedure to address the issue. The Chiefs made Butker the NFL’s highest-paid kicker this offseason, re-signing him to a $6.4MM-per-year deal. While Butker’s long-term status is not in question, his availability for this year’s homestretch is.

Butker, 29, practiced fully Wednesday but was limited today. This recent development could be a major issue for the Chiefs, who have seen Butker become one of the NFL’s best kickers over the past several years. Kansas City signed Butker off Carolina’s practice squad in 2017 and have seen him become a long-term weapon. Butker has become the team’s longest-tenured kicker since Nick Lowery.

Butker’s place as a political lightning rod — due to comments made during a commencement address at Benedictine (Kan.) College this spring — notwithstanding, he has continued to be among the NFL’s most reliable kickers. Butker is 18-for-20 on field goals this season, including a 51-yard game-winner to move the Chiefs past the Bengals in Week 2. Butker is 21-for-22 on PATs this season. Shrader, whom the Jets signed shortly before Greg Zuerlein landed on IR, has kicked in two NFL games.

No Pro Bowls have come Butker’s way, but he has been a vital part of the Chiefs’ mission. He kicked a short game-winner in Super Bowl LVII but made a 45-yarder in cold weather to send the Chiefs to that game. Butker also nailed a game-tying kick to force overtime in an all-time playoff thriller against the Bills in 2021 and did the same to force an extra period in Super Bowl LVIII. The latter kick came after Butker set a Super Bowl record with a 57-yarder against the 49ers.

The Panthers drafted Butker in the 2017 seventh round but let him leave for Kansas City due to Graham Gano residing as their primary kicker then. Butker has run into injury trouble in the past; an ankle malady cost him four games early during the 2022 season. This year’s Chiefs team, its unbeaten record aside, has outscored opponents by just 58 points — ninth-most in the NFL. They will now rely on Shrader for the time being, though Butker should be expected back later this season.

A rookie who kicked at South Florida for four seasons and Notre Dame for one, Shrader filled in for Matt Gay in one Colts game this season before kicking in the Jets-Cardinals matchup in Week 10. Shrader is 2-for-2 on field goals, both coming Sunday, and 3-for-3 on PATs (each with Indianapolis). The Jets cut Riley Patterson last week but still have Anders Carlson on their P-squad.

Aaron Rodgers Hasn’t Changed Stance On Playing In 2025

November 14th, 2024 at 7:55pm CST by Ben Levine

The 2024 campaign obviously hasn’t gone as planned for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. Considering the frustrations that have mounted during a 3-7 start, there’s been some speculation that the future Hall of Famer might call it a career.

However, the soon-to-be 41-year-old seemed to somewhat commit to a 2025 campaign during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. When asked if he’ll be back in New York next season, Rodgers said he “think[s] so, yeah” (per ESPN’s Rich Cimini). While the QB gave a less-than-emphatic response, he did acknowledged that this season hasn’t changed his stance on 2025 (per Brian Costello of the New York Post).

Rodgers was also asked about his statement from last offseason that he intends to play “two or three or four more years.” The QB said his stance hasn’t really changed, and he even hinted that he has a stronger desire to continue his career in 2025.

In his return from a lost 2023 campaign, Rodgers hasn’t necessarily looked like his old self this year. His TD% and INT% are among career worsts, and his 6.4 yards per attempt represents his lowest average as a starter. Rodgers told McAfee that he hasn’t come close to reaching his “standards” in 2024, and that could be a motivating factor as he considers playing next season. As Cimini notes, there’s also a natural financial incentive; Rodgers has a $35MM option bonus due this upcoming offseason.

On the flip side, Rodgers has battled hamstring, knee, and ankle injuries this year, and with 2025 representing his age-42 season, Rodgers may prefer to walk away from the game in one piece. Cimini also wonders if Rodgers’ lack of a definitive commitment could be due to the lack of certainty regarding Jets leadership heading into next season. For what it’s worth, Rodgers did give an endorsement to interim HC Jeff Ulbrich.

“I feel like he’s done some really good things,” Rodgers said (via Cimini). “I think Brick is an NFL head coach, whether it’s here moving forward or down the line. I mean, he’s a leader of men and I’ll stand by him. I’d love to play for him until the end. So have a lot of love and respect for him.”

The Jets will surely consider options at both head coach and GM this offseason. However, the biggest factor surrounding their offseason approach could be focused on the status of their veteran quarterback.

Jets S Chuck Clark Designated For Return From IR

November 13th, 2024 at 9:19pm CST by Ely Allen

A year after missing the entire 2023 NFL season with a torn ACL, Jets safety Chuck Clark finally returned to the field as a starter for his new team this year. Unfortunately, Clark found himself on injured reserve once again six games into the 2024 NFL season. After the minimum required four missed games, Clark is now being designated to return from IR, per Brian Costello of the New York Post.

Clark‘s troubles staying on the field do not date back to his time in Baltimore. The former Ravens strong safety only missed two games over the first six years of his career, but since being traded to New York, he has missed 21 games. He missed all 17 games in 2023 with a torn ACL and has missed four more since being placed on injured reserve.

Despite Clark missing the entirety of his only season under contract with New York, the Jets elected to keep him around, re-signing him and fellow free agent Ashtyn Davis while watching Jordan Whitehead walk in free agency. The Jets held an offseason competition for the starting two jobs between Clark, Davis, and Tony Adams after Adams and Whitehead started most of last year. Clark ended up beating out Davis to start the first six games of the season alongside Adams, with Davis getting playing time here and there off the bench.

Instead of Davis taking over for Clark in the starting role, as was initially thought to be the preferred course of action, veteran Jalen Mills took over starting duties in Clark’s absence. If Clark is able to return soon, it will only bolster some impressive safety depth for a defense that already ranks third in passing yards allowed this season. His tackling prowess could help improve a run defense that ranks 26th in yards allowed, though.

Initially sidelined with the diagnosis of a high-ankle sprain, the minimal four-game absence was expected, allowing Clark to potentially return to the field this week in time for a Sunday night matchup against the Colts. The NFL has since flexed the matchup to noon. If Clark isn’t quite ready to return this week, an additional two weeks could be available for recovery as the Jets’ bye week falls right after the team’s contest versus Indianapolis.

The Jets won’t have too much wiggle room after that, though, as today’s transaction opens a 21-day practice window for Clark. If the 29-year-old safety is unable to return by the close of that window, he’ll revert to season-ending IR.

Jets Claim C Connor McGovern

November 12th, 2024 at 9:31pm CST by Ben Levine

And just like that, Connor McGovern is back in New York. The Jets announced that they’ve claimed the veteran offensive lineman off waivers. McGovern was waived by the Saints yesterday.

[RELATED: Saints Waive Connor McGovern]

McGovern started the 2024 campaign in New York after catching on with the team’s practice squad. The Saints snagged the lineman in early October and added him to the active roster, where he proceeded to start five of his six appearances. However, with both Erik McCoy and Shane Lemieux nearing full health, the Saints decided to suddenly move on from their fill-in.

Back in New York, McGovern’s situation will be similar to what he faced earlier in the year. 2023 second-round pick Joe Tippmann is firmly entrenched as the team’s center, with backup center Alec Lindstrom generating only three special teams snaps this year. There’s a chance McGovern only makes a brief stop on the active roster before inevitably landing back on the practice squad.

Still, McGovern represents some worthwhile depth for the organization. The lineman joined the Jets ahead of the 2020 campaign and proceeded to start all 48 of his appearances through his first three seasons with the team. He suffered a dislocated kneecap last October that limited him to only seven starts in 2023.

Jets’ Tyron Smith Suffers Neck Injury

November 10th, 2024 at 5:18pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Starting left tackle Tyron Smith is doubtful to return to the Jets’ Week 10 matchup with the Cardinals due to a neck injury, according to a team announcement.

Smith played left tackle for every Jets offensive snap this season until his injury on Sunday. He was replaced by rookie Olumuyiwa Fashanu, who was drafted by New York with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fashanu started two games at right tackle this year and played 37 snaps at right guard in Week 9.

Smith signed with the Jets in March to give Aaron Rodgers a proven blindside protector for his second year in New York. Though the team still drafted Fashanu to be a potential franchise left tackle, Smith’s presence ensured that the Jets did not have to risk Rodgers’ health behind a rookie lineman.

Additionally, cornerback Brandin Echols is out for the remainder of Week 10 with a concussion.

The 2021 sixth-rounder played in the Jets’ first nine games with starts in Week 2 and Week 7 and a key role on special teams. As a pending free agent, he garnered some trade interest ahead of last week’s deadline.

Jets GM Joe Douglas On Future With Team, Robert Saleh Dismissal; Latest On Owner Woody Johnson

November 10th, 2024 at 12:10pm CST by Rory Parks

At his midseason press conference on Wednesday, which lasted less than 10 minutes (h/t Rich Cimini of ESPN.com), GM Joe Douglas offered a few terse, notable non-answers with respect to owner Woody Johnson’s decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh without Douglas’ input. 

When asked whether he agreed with Johnson’s call, Douglas did not answer directly. He merely said that he had nothing more to add to the conversation and that, “I serve at the pleasure of the owner” (per Brian Costello of the New York Post, Douglas and Saleh enjoyed a close relationship, and Costello believes it unlikely that Douglas would have recommended Saleh’s dismissal).

In the immediate aftermath of Saleh’s ouster — which Cimini says upset some players — it was reported that Douglas would at least survive the current season. However, 2024 is the last year of his contract, and unless the 3-6 Jets surge to a playoff berth, it would be surprising if Douglas is retained for 2025. While he does have some highlights on his resume, the 30-62 record he has compiled over his five-plus seasons at the top of Gang Green’s front office and the abject failure of his Zach Wilson selection would likely be too much to overcome if New York does not qualify for the postseason.

That said, he indicated he is still hopeful that the Jets can make a playoff push, and he cited his club’s improved performance in a Halloween win over the Texans as reason for optimism. When asked about his own job security, he said, “I come in here every day, just do whatever I can to help this team reach its goals and get to its destination. Whatever happens, happens” (via Cimini).

In addition to the win-now acquisition of wide receiver Davante Adams — which, per Cimini, was done with an eye towards improving the locker room culture as well as the on-field product — Douglas followed through on a trade of fellow wideout Mike Williams, securing a fifth-round pick in a draft (2025) that he may not get to oversee. Douglas signed Williams to a one-year, $10MM deal this offseason, and he indicated during his presser that Williams’ inability to get on the field during spring work and for a portion of training camp undermined his Jets’ tenure.

“Not being part … of OTAs, not being able to be part of a majority of training camp, just could never really get that synched up,” Douglas said (via Costello). “This is a great opportunity for him to have a fresh start. It’s a move that we wouldn’t have made had we not felt good about the guys we have in the room. Us acquiring a player like Davante gives us the flexibility if a team wants to be aggressive to acquire a player like Mike, we can do that.”

When Saleh was hired, Johnson was serving as the ambassador to the United Kingdom for then-President Donald Trump. His brother, Christopher Johnson, worked with Douglas in running the HC search and bringing Saleh aboard. 

Following Trump’s recent re-election, many believe Woody Johnson will again depart the team to return to the U.K. or to accept a different appointment, as Costello reports in a separate piece (a report that Ian Rapoport of NFL.com echoes). However, such an appointment would likely not happen until Johnson has had time to make a decision on Douglas’ future, set a budget, and hire the team’s next permanent head coach. Christopher Johnson would then step back in to oversee day-to-day operations.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/24

November 9th, 2024 at 9:11pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

  • Elevated: LB Curtis Bolton, WR Isaiah Hodgins

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Spector will miss at least the next four games as a result of the Bills’ move. He has remained a mainstay on special teams this year, having also done so in 2022 and ’23. The former seventh-rounder has made three starts on defense, however, so his absence will be felt moving forward. Linebacker has been a position hit hard by injuries this season, and Buffalo’s depth at the second level will now be tested even further.

Wattenberg had his 21-day practice window opened by the Broncos earlier this week, paving the way for today’s activation. The 27-year-old operated as the team’s starting center prior to going down after having won a summer competition for the gig with Alex Forsyth. Forsyth handled first-team duties over the past four games, drawing a superior PFF evaluation and therefore potentially playing his way into an extended look atop the depth chart. At a minimum, having Wattenberg back will give Denver – a team with three IR activations left – depth up front.

Jets Waive K Riley Patterson, Sign K Anders Carlson To Practice Squad

November 8th, 2024 at 10:41am CST by Adam La Rose

Riley Patterson made a single appearance for the Jets, but his time with the team may be coming to an end. The veteran kicker was waived on Friday, per a team announcement.

Patterson was added in the wake of Greg Zuerlein‘s injury, one which landed him on injured reserve. Patterson and Spencer Shrader were signed to the practice squad initially, and to no surprise New York went with experience in Week 9. Patterson was elevated for that contest, and he connected on all three of his extra point attempts in the Jets’ 21-13 win.

In spite of that success (and the continued presence of Schrader on the taxi squad), Patterson will now hit the waiver wire as a post-trade deadline cut. Any interested team could put in a claim, but if that does not happen the 25-year-old will be free to remain with New York by re-signing to the practice squad. Patterson is a veteran of 40 games, and he has a career accuracy rate of 88.1% on field goals while connecting on 96 of his 100 extra point kicks. To fill his roster spot, defensive tackle Bruce Hector was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.

Today’s move does not necessarily pave the way for Schrader to handle kicking duties moving forward, however. The Jets have signed Anders Carlson to the practice squad, giving the 2023 Packers draftee another opportunity. Carlson joined the 49ers last month after Jake Moody‘s injury replacement (Matthew Wright) suffered an injury of his own. Carlson wound up making a pair of appearances for San Francisco, going five-for-five on field goals and three-for-four on extra points. He was let go after the 49ers reunited with safety Tashaun Gipson on Tuesday.

Consistency in the kicking game – regardless of who it comes from – would be a welcomed development for the Jets considering Zuerlein’s struggles before his injury. The 36-year-old received a vote of confidence earlier in the week from general manager Joe Douglas (as noted by ESPN’s Rich Cimini), but once healthy Zuerlein figures to have competition for his spot.

Steelers Acquire Mike Williams From Jets

November 5th, 2024 at 10:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite Allen Lazard‘s IR trip, the Jets will not hang onto Mike Williams. Instead, he will be the Steelers’ long-sought-after receiver upgrade.

Pittsburgh is sending New York a fifth-round pick for the recent free agency addition, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The pick exchanged is a 2025 choice. The Steelers have been in on Williams for a bit, checking in with the Jets shortly after their Davante Adams acquisition prompted them to shop the March addition. And the Steelers, at long last, have a George Pickens complementary piece. New York will receive the lower of Pittsburgh’s fifth-round selections, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero clarifies.

Williams, 30, is not having a good season. Signing a one-year deal worth $10MM, the former Chargers 1,000-yard target has just 12 receptions for 166 yards this year. He will join Mecole Hardman as a Jets free agent WR pickup to be traded months later. Williams, of course, has produced on a higher level before. The Steelers will hope the former top-10 pick has some of his Chargers-years form left.

While the Steelers have been in on a Williams trade for a bit, they were interested in him during the period between his Chargers release and Jets signing. Pittsburgh joined Carolina in scheduling free agency visits with Williams, but after his New York meeting, both the other trips were cancelled. The fit with the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets, however, did not pan out.

A late-game slip led to a crucial Bills interception in Week 6, the Jets’ first post-Robert Saleh loss, but Williams had never quite found his footing in the team’s offense prior to that sequence. Rodgers criticizing Williams’ route postgame probably did not help matters. Coming back from a September 2023 ACL tear, Williams debuted on time with New York but saw Lazard — Rodgers’ longtime teammate from his Packers years — effectively usurp him in the Jets’ WR hierarchy. With Adams now in the fold alongside Garrett Wilson, there did not appear much meat on the bone left for Williams.

Even though Lazard’s Week 9 IR trip threw a wrench into the Williams trade market, the Jets may also have tried to use it as leverage by attempting to convince teams they would just keep Williams. Now, the Jets will go with the likes of Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson behind their top two in the meantime. Williams has a path to becoming the Steelers’ WR2 in a now-Russell Wilson-centered offense.

Williams has two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume. The Chargers mostly used the Clemson product — the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft — as a deep threat, but the 6-foot-4 target showed more range to his game during Joe Lombardi‘s OC run. The Bolts gave a longer look at Williams as a versatile weapon from 2021-22, and he turned in his best season in ’21 to help Justin Herbert become the AFC’s Pro Bowl starter. Williams posted 1,146 receiving yards and nine touchdowns that season, making crucial catches during a season-ending Raiders clash that nearly booted the Steelers from the playoffs — a game-winning Las Vegas field goal then eliminated the Chargers, who would have qualified with a tie.

The 2022 season, however, brought more injury trouble. After missing time earlier in the season, Williams suffered a back fracture in a meaningless Week 18 game in Denver. This weakened Los Angeles’ aerial attack ahead of the Jacksonville wild-card tilt, which became an infamous chapter for the AFC West franchise, which blew a 27-point lead without its talented WR2. With Brandon Staley’s seat warm after the Williams injury the previous season, the longtime Keenan Allen sidekick then went down with an ACL tear in Week 3 of last season.

Despite using his contract to reach cap compliance in March, the Chargers also looked into a trade with the Jets. But the Bolts are standing down, though more than two hours remain until the trade deadline. Williams’ early career brought a 10-touchdown 2018 and an NFL-leading 20.4 yards per reception in 2019; those long-game numbers may be relevant again thanks to Wilson’s deep-ball prowess. Then again, Williams is at a slightly different point in his career. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers attempt to tap into the long-range skillset that Williams displayed in his early 20s.

The Steelers will take on the remainder of Williams’ salary, Schefter adds, following the Jets’ lead in doing so after a wide receiver trade. Though, the bill will be much lower for Pittsburgh. Williams is due roughly $2.5MM the rest of the way. Although the Steelers have seen slot weapon Calvin Austin fare better in Wilson’s starts, Williams likely moves ahead of him and Van Jefferson in the team’s aerial hierarchy soon. Though, the Steelers will certainly need to manage their trade pickup due to his injury past.

This wraps a fascinating odyssey for the Steelers, whose initial Williams look preceded extensive work on WRs. The Steelers asked about Deebo Samuel during the draft and then agreed to trade framework with the 49ers during the Brandon Aiyuk saga. After Aiyuk chose a 49ers extension over a Steelers trade, the team regrouped before being in on the Adams and Cooper Kupp markets. The latter did not exactly last too long, as the Rams have now won three straight to return to playoff contention. Interest in Courtland Sutton and Darius Slayton emerged as well, but the Steelers have their hired gun in Williams.

As Williams will have a chance to play a bigger role and potentially create a decent market for himself in 2025, the Jets will attempt to get by with younger tertiary targets. Known more for trading away wideouts than acquiring them, the Steelers will hold Williams’ exclusive negotiating rights until the March legal tampering period.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

Load More Posts