In their latest set of roster transactions, the New York Jets tendered a pair of exclusive rights free agents, interior offensive lineman Xavier Newman and wide receiver Irvin Charles.
One fan on social media criticized the Jets’ retention of Charles, and Jets guard John Simpson wasn’t happy about it.
“You smoking brick if you don’t think IRV ain’t 1of1,” tweeted the 27-year-old lineman.
Whether you are Charles’ biggest fan or critic, there is no reason to criticize the Jets’ decision to use an ERFA tender on him. It is a zero-risk move from the team’s side.
When an ERFA tender is extended, it prevents the player from negotiating with other teams, and his only option is to sign a non-guaranteed one-year contract for the league minimum. So, the only potential outcomes of this move are: 1) Charles earns a roster spot on a league-minimum salary, or 2) the Jets cut him for no loss.
There is no reason not to retain an ERFA unless the player is a complete liability, which Charles is not. Charles has become one of the Jets’ leaders on special teams, ranking fourth on the team in special teams snaps per game during the 2024 season (16.5). In 13 games, Charles recorded seven tackles and a blocked punt while leading the team with an 88.6 special teams grade at Pro Football Focus.
The soon-to-be 28-year-old can clean up his game. Charles had three 15-yard penalties in 2024. He also missed four tackles, tying for the team lead.
New York’s new special teams coordinator, Chris Banjo, will be tasked with helping Charles remove these mistakes from his game. A former special teams ace himself, Banjo could be the perfect mentor for Charles, as he thrived in the exact areas where Charles must improve.
Across 10 seasons as an NFL special teams ace (131 games), Banjo never committed a 15-yard penalty, while he only committed eight special teams penalties in total. Banjo was also a reliable tackler, missing just 16 tackles on special teams over 131 career games (2.1 per 17 games).
If Charles can cut the mistakes out of his game, he could establish himself as one of the better special teams players in the NFL. His penchant for playmaking is already undeniable; it shows in the numbers, and as Simpson exemplified, his teammates see it, too.
