The Jets are reportedly interested in retaining big Foley Fatukasi
One of the longest-tenured New York Jets is currently set to reach unrestricted free agency. Following the fourth year of his rookie deal, defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi is one of the Jets’ most important upcoming free agents—and apparently, Joe Douglas knows it.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that the Jets would like to keep Fatukasi and have been talking to his agent for months.
Fatukasi is turning 27 and likely just entering his prime years as a player. In terms of his potential price tag on a new multi-year deal, Cimini stated “Fatukasi is thought to be seeking about $8 million per year.”
Fatukasi brings a ton of value to the Jets that warrants his reported asking price. Cimini wrote, “(he) is a durable, high-character player who led the defensive line with 16 run stuffs.” That ranked Fatukasi fifth in the NFL in terms of run stop rates per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Last season, Fatukasi also seemed to take on a substantial leadership role. He was voted by his teammates as a captain. Without Steve McLendon last year, as a vocal leader, Fatukasi showed he can take that responsibility for the Jets.
Throughout the last three seasons, Fatukasi has earned respect in the Jets building for the type of person he is. In 2019 and 2020, he won the Kyle Clifton “Good Guy” team award. Last year, Fatukasi won the Dennis Byrd “Most Inspirational Player” award for the Jets.
Needless to say, Fatukasi provides a significant amount to the Jets intangibly speaking that must be valued.
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It is well known that the Jets have not retained much homegrown talent. Fatukasi has earned a respectable second contract.
The Jets have a big decision to make in the coming weeks on their starting defensive tackle. After reported months of negotiating, hopefully, the Jets and Fatukasi are able to strike a three or four-year contract sometime soon.
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8 mil is to rich for a 1 dimensional run stuffer. Foley is one of my favs, but that production can be replaced for half that cost. If they resign him I wouldn’t complain ,but I hope it would be for less then that
Part of the problem is that Foley could exceed 8 million with 3-4 teams, his game is better suited to those types of Defenses. Saleh/ Ulbrich have had a year to adapt, not gonna happen. Foley has all the intangibles, but sadly he is better off someplace else
Hope Foley remains a Jet, time will tell.
He’s a 3-4 guy with some value to the Jets but if we are being truly honest with ourselves they need to replace him with a better fit. We all like him, there’s a lot to like but reality is, moving JFM inside and adding some real 4-3 DE’s to the group is best for the team. He’s a useful player even in this system but he’s not worth as much to them as some other teams. The defense was bad last year, some of these guys have to go. They either aren’t good enough or just don’t fit. Foley is one of them. I hope then can find a player that can be more productive.
Very well said