According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets have released linebacker James Burgess.
Jets have released former starting linebacker James Burgess, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2020
The Jets claimed Burgess off waivers in March of 2019, while Mike Maccagnan was still in charge. He began the 2019 regular season on the practice squad and was promoted to the active roster in late October, starting the Jets’ final 10 games following injuries to C.J. Mosley, Avery Williamson, and Blake Cashman.
Burgess was mostly a liability in his time as a starter. He struggled mightily in coverage (1.40 yards allowed per cover snap, 12th percentile among LB) and ranked second among linebackers with nine missed tackles against the run from Weeks 8-17.
In April, Joe Douglas elected to re-sign Burgess to a one-year, $925K deal with a $50K signing bonus and $100K guaranteed. Cutting Burgess costs the Jets a dead money hit of $100K.
Burgess began training camp on the reserve/COVID-19 list and was activated on August 13. He spent most of camp running with the second and third-string units.
Of course, Burgess could still stick on the practice squad, as he did last season.
This puts the Jets in an interesting position at inside linebacker. They have four players remaining at the position – Williamson, Cashman, Neville Hewitt, and Patrick Onwuasor – but with Onwuasor set to miss the next five weeks due to a knee injury, there are only three healthy inside linebackers on the roster.
An interesting name hit the linebacker market earlier today; Todd Davis, who was released by Denver. The 28-year old, seventh-year man was a consistently decent starter for the Broncos over the past four years. He would certainly be an upgrade over Hewitt, and at the least could provide solid depth as the fourth linebacker until Onwuasor returns.
Keep an eye out for another move at linebacker.
