Robert Saleh: Jets ‘working through’ contract matter with Jamison Crowder

According to Robert Saleh, the New York Jets are currently working on the contract of wide receiver Jamison Crowder.

Jamison Crowder‘s future with the New York Jets has been up in the air since the team drafted fellow slot weapon Elijah Moore with the 34th overall pick in the second round of this year’s NFL draft. Many have speculated whether the selection of Moore would spell the end of Crowder’s time as a Jet.

Crowder has yet to appear at OTAs in Florham Park. While speaking to the media prior to practice on Friday morning, head coach Robert Saleh confirmed that Crowder’s absence is due to the Jets ‘working through’ a contract matter with him.

Jamison Crowder not in OTAs because he’s “working through” a contract matter, Saleh says, declining to be specific. Sounds like the #Jets are trying to get him to re-work his deal. Has $10M non-gtd in 2021, final year of deal. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) June 4, 2021

Saleh answered assuredly when asked whether Crowder would have a role on the team.

Jamison Crowder is "working through" a contract matter with the Jets, but Robert Saleh expects to have him in the fold:

"He'll definitely have a role here and we're excited to have him" pic.twitter.com/TQi7ujxcbe

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) June 4, 2021

Crowder is entering the final year of a three-year, $28.5 million contract he signed with the Jets in 2019. He is set to have a cap hit of approximately $11.35 million this season. Only $1 million of that is guaranteed, so the Jets can clear $10.35 million in cap space ($10 million non-guaranteed base salary and $353K roster bonus) by cutting him while taking on just $1 million in dead money.

With an easily escapable contract and a cap number that far exceeds the value he will likely provide in a very crowded wide receiver room (featuring the player who was just drafted in the top-35 to replace him), it makes sense that the Jets are looking to take action. It appears the Jets value the depth that he can bring to the table and are aiming to get him back at a more affordable cost.

Over 28 games across two seasons with the Jets, Crowder has caught 137 of 211 targets for 1,532 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has been one of the most productive slot receivers in the league; in 2020, he ranked sixth among wide receivers with 39.9 receiving yards per game on routes run out of the slot.