The #New York Jets are expected to part ways with wide receiver #Eric Decker this week. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, the Jets will either trade or waive Decker to create $5.75 million in Cap Space. According to the team's official website, Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan already informed Decker about the possible trade or release: "I've talked to Eric. We have advised Eric that if a trade doesn't happen, we'll move forward [without him]," Maccagnan said.
The Jets may have a hard time finding a trade partner as Decker is not fully healthy yet. Decker suited up during during Monday's organized team activities wearing a red non-contact jersey. If he’s healthy, Decker could draw interest from several teams in the hunt for a veteran wideout. The Tennessee Titans may try to acquire Decker, who is known as a red-zone specialist.
If this pushes through, it will be the second significant move that the Jets have made in the last 24 hours. Earlier, they waived veteran linebacker David Harris as part of their housecleaning. Over the past 18 months, the Jets also parted ways with Pro Bowlers Nick Mangold, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie.
The Jets also traded Calvin Pryor to the Cleveland Browns recently.
Decker played for the Denver Broncos for four years before signing with the Jets in 2014. In his first year, he received 74 passes for 962 yards and five touchdowns, and had 80 catches for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns the following year. Last season, Decker played just three games, catching nine passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He landed on the injured reserve list on Oct. 12 with a torn rotator cuff and underwent hip surgery on Oct. 18 and shoulder surgery on Nov. 15. Despite his injuries, Decker’s wife Jessie James Decker is confident that her husband can find another team where he can show his wares. “Eric is a total badass as you know and the future looks bright!!!” she tweeted.
Jets prepared for Decker's release
Anticipating Decker’s release, the Jets signed former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton, who tallied 37 catches for 408 yards, while playing 68 percent of the offensive snaps for the 49ers. A fourth-round pick of the 49ers in 2013, Patton will join Quincy Enunwa in the Jets' receiving corps. Patton is reunited with his first position coach, John Morton, the Jets' new offensive coordinator.
Jets not giving up on season
Maccagnan clarified that the Jets aren't giving up on the season, saying they will field a competitive roster.
"There will be a lot of opportunities for a lot of players on this roster. We are doing things that we feel that are going to help this organization, both short and long-term," he said.