Javon Kinlaw is now a former New York Jets employee.
The man former head coach Robert Saleh brought in just last offseason has bolted for a 3-year, $45 million deal ($30 million guaranteed) with the Washington Commanders, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“Sources: DT Javon Kinlaw to the Commanders, as he gets a 3-year, $45M deal with $30M guaranteed,” Rapoport posted on X shortly after the legal tampering began on Monday.
Kinlaw, 27, is viewed as a massive disappointment in Jets land.
Considering his familiarity with Saleh, courtesy of their days together in San Francisco, the thought process was that he’d fit nicely into the team’s defensive line rotation. However, Kinlaw’s play was largely underwhelming.
The No. 14 pick in the 2020 NFL draft compiled 4.5 sacks, 40 total tackles (27 solo), 5 tackles for loss, and 5 quarterback hits while playing all 17 games for the Jets this past season. While his end-of-year stats don’t look awful, the tape conveyed a much different story.
To be fair, nearly every Jets defender put forth rough-looking tape in 2024. Thanks to a coaching change and rigid scheme that saw them play in a singular, gap-attacking style, there was very little complementing happening.
The Jets believed Kinlaw could complement Quinnen Williams, but the two did not mesh. Much like Big Q, Kinlaw is also more of a 3-tech-type defensive tackle who loves shooting gaps.
It’s a bit surprising to see Dan Quinn’s Commanders offering Kinlaw $30 million guaranteed, but the interior defensive lineman can fit a specific role that makes sense for the right defense.
It was expected that Aaron Glenn‘s New York Jets would allow Javon Kinlaw to walk in free agency, and that’s exactly what occurred. Furthermore, expect the 2025 roster to showcase a couple of two-gapping defensive tackles who can eat blocks and space and play alongside Quinnen Williams.
