The Braxton Berrios cut is unsurprising for the New York Jets, while Chuck Clark brings safety depth
The New York Jets were active on both the trade and release fronts so far today.
Braxton Berrios, the Jets’ fourth receiver and widely considered a cut candidate, was released by the team, clearing $5 million in cap space. The Jets will have a $3.2 million dead cap hit.
Berrios would have likely been expendable regardless due to his $8.2 million 2023 cap hit. However, an absolutely abysmal 2022 season in both receiving and returning pretty much clinched the deal.
The Jets were trying to negotiate a pay cut with Berrios, but the two sides could not come to an agreement. Gang Green now has a hole at WR4 and both kick and punt returner.
Meanwhile, the Jets made a trade this morning, just not the one that Jets fans are eagerly awaiting. They traded a 2024 seventh-round pick for veteran Ravens safety Chuck Clark. Clark will carry a $2.4 million 2023 cap hit, per Jets beat reporter Zack Rosenblatt.
The 27-year-old Clark is a versatile defender who played all over the field last season.
Here are Chuck Clark's alignment %ages in 2022 per PFF & where they ranked among 73 safeties
FS: 45.3% (43rd)
Box: 29.6% (27th)
Slot: 15.6% (28th)
Edge: 6.8% (11th)
Outside CB: 2.8% (19th)Very versatile overall, but leans more to SS type responsibilities than deep safety
— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) March 9, 2023
Although there has been some speculation that Clark will replace Lamarcus Joyner, his snap alignment makes it more likely that he takes Jordan Whitehead‘s role (or at least backs him up). Joyner played 73% of his 2022 snaps at deep safety compared to Clark’s 45%. Meanwhile, Whitehead was deep 55% of the time last season.
Whitehead’s status this offseason is interesting. He has a $10.2 million cap hit while incurring just a $2.98 million dead cap charge. The Jets can save $7.2 million by cutting him. This Clark move may make it more likely.
The Jets are hard at work in clearing cap space and improving their team.
Stay tuned for the next episode of The QB Files.
