Changes on offense will be a key talking point for the Jets this offseason, but the team’s defense is in danger of losing a key piece in free agency. Defensive end Bryce Huff is set to hit the open market in March, but a pact keeping him in New York is still a possibility.

The Jets will attempt to work out an agreement with Huff over the coming weeks, ESPN’s Rich Cimini notes. The 25-year-old upped his market value considerably this season as he comfortably set new career highs in a number of statistical categories. He and the team have already discussed a new deal, but no pact was finalized. General manager Joe Douglas has nevertheless confirmed that Huff remains a target for New York.

Huff has made it clear he will not take a hometown discount on his upcoming deal, and as a result Cimini notes the franchise tag could be in play. In 2024, the tag for defensive ends is projected to cost more than $23MM, a figure which would be cumbersome given Huff’s status as a sack specialist. The former UDFA logged a snap share of only 42% this season, and he has not drawn rave reviews for his run defense. Still, Huff’s production as an edge rusher this year will generate considerable interest if he reaches free agency.

The Memphis product posted 10 sacks, 21 QB hits and 31 pressures in 2023, taking a considerable step forward in each category compared to his previous totals. The Jets could prevent Huff from testing free agency by applying the franchise or transition tag (the latter of which would cost roughly $3MM less than the former). Cimini notes a tag-and-trade scenario should not be considered likely in this case.

As a result, the progress of contract talks between Huff and the Jets will be a key storyline to follow in the near future. New York already has veteran John Franklin-Myers and a pair of former first-rounders in the form of Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald along the edge. Huff proved himself to be a critical member of that group this year, though, and his absence would be acutely felt in 2024 if he were to land elsewhere.

The Jets have a number of high-end contributors along the defensive front, but Bryce Huff has proven to be an unheralded member of the unit. He may be playing his way into an extended stay in New York.

Huff joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent, and he has established himself as a full-time contributor to their edge rush group. The 25-year-old logged seven starts and a 51% snap share in 2021, though his playing time has dipped since then with New York making draft and free agent investments in the pass-rush department. Still, Huff has made the most of his opportunities, having matched his career-highs in sacks (3.5) and pressures (16) in seven games this year.

The Memphis product is playing on his RFA tender this season, valued at $4.3MM. If his production continues, he could be in line for a raise on a multi-year pact, something which would confirm his status as a key member of the Jets’ young edge group. 2022 first-rounder Jermaine Johnson leads the team in sacks, and the Jets’ top pick this past April (Will McDonald) has made six appearances in a rotational role in his rookie campaign. Huff could soon have a deal in place to keep him on the books alongside those two.

“There’s been some informal conversations with Bryce’s representatives and they’re trending in a positive direction,” general manager Joe Douglas said on the topic of an extension (video link via SNY). “Still a long way to go. Bryce is another… unbelievable player development story. For him to come in as an undrafted free agent and just work and work and work and get better every day. I think the last two years you’ve really been able to see a huge progression for him. Everyone’s excited about Bryce.”

New York currently has two signficant financial commitments along the edge in John Franklin-Meyers and Carl Lawson. The latter was on the trade block given his expiring contract and lack of playing time, but no partner was found for a deal. While Lawson will thus play out the rest of the season with the Jets before a likely free agent departure, it appears Huff will have the chance to remain in place beyond 2023 if talks on a new deal continue to progress.