NY Jets release OL Greg Van Roten, clearing a chunk of cap space

Greg Van Roten’s days with the New York Jets have come to an end

In confirming the signing of versatile offensive lineman Nate Herbig, the New York Jets announced the release of veteran guard Greg Van Roten on Friday afternoon.

We've claimed OL Nate Herbig and released OL Greg Van Roten.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 6, 2022

With the release of Van Roten, the Jets are poised to save $3.5 million in cap space with no dead money attached to it. His days likely became numbered once the Jets welcomed in Laken Tomlinson, formerly of San Francisco, in March. New York is currently situated with just over $19.2 million in cap space, the sixth-best in the league.

Van Roten, 32, spent the last two seasons with the Jets, originally joining the team on a three-year, $10.5 million deal prior to the 2020 season, part of general manager Joe Douglas’ efforts to bolster the blocking unit in his first full season at the helm.

Joining alongside George Fant and Connor McGovern, Van Roten gained a local brand of notoriety for joining the Jets after growing up on Long Island, getting his football start at Chaminade High School in Mineola. His previous professional stops included Green Bay (2012-13) and Carolina (2018-19) as well as a stint with Toronto Argonauts of the CFL (2015-16).

During his time with the Jets, Van Roten was a polarizing prescience, never finding the right balance between his pass and run blocking prowess. He partook in 30 games with the Jets, making 23 starts.

Herbig now joins the Jets after three seasons with Philadelphia. He becomes the latest acquisition to the Jets’ reclamation project on the offensive line, joining fellow free agent Tomlinson and rookie fourth-round pick Max Mitchell.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags