On Thursday, the New York Jets bolstered their wide receiver depth by signing free agent Josh Reynolds. The deal was reported to be a one-year contract worth up to $5 million. Now, we have more specific details.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Reynolds’ one-year contract includes $2.75 million guaranteed and reachable incentives.
In what has been a relatively conservative free agency period for the Jets, Reynolds’ guaranteed total is, surprisingly, one of the largest New York has doled out thus far. His $2.75 million in guarantees ranks fifth-highest among the Jets’ 2025 signings:
- LB Jamien Sherwood, $30M (3 years, $45M)
- QB Justin Fields, $30M (2 years, $40M)
- CB Brandon Stephens, $22.98M (3 years, $36M)
- FS Andre Cisco, $7.5M (1 year, $8.5M)
- WR Josh Reynolds, $2.75M
- DB Isaiah Oliver, $2.25M (1 year, $2.5M)
- C Josh Myers, $2M (1 year, $2M)
Reynolds currently ranks 82nd among wide receivers in total guarantees, per Spotrac.
The 30-year-old receiver will reunite with Aaron Glenn and Tanner Engstrand, with whom he played three seasons in Detroit (2021-23). Reynolds is also familiar with Jets general manager Darren Mougey, who was the Broncos’ assistant general manager when Denver signed Reynolds to a two-year contract in 2024 (and waived him during the season).
Reynolds missed eight games in the 2024 season with a fractured finger. During his absence, he was wounded in a shooting, suffering injuries to his left arm and the back of his head. He was waived by Denver and claimed by Jacksonville, where he played a minimal role in the offense throughout five appearances to close the year. Reynolds finished the 2024 season with 13 receptions, 194 receiving yards, and one touchdown in nine games.
However, in his most recent full season, Reynolds was a reliable role player for Detroit. In 2023, serving as the Lions’ second-leading wide receiver and fourth-most targeted player overall, Reynolds caught 40-of-64 targets for 608 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 9.5 yards per target and produced a 113.3 passer rating when targeted.
Reynolds’ proven ability as an efficient WR2 could allow the Jets to comfortably part ways with Allen Lazard, who remains on the roster with an escapable contract. Lazard is due to have a $13.18 million cap hit in 2025, but the Jets can cut him to save $6.63 million in cap space while eating in $6.55 million in dead money.
Over the past two seasons, Reynolds generated a similar volume of production to Lazard, albeit with much better efficiency:
- Josh Reynolds (2023-24, 26 GP): 53 receptions on 88 targets, 802 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT when targeted, 3 drops, 4 penalties — 60.2% catch rate, 9.1 yards per target, 109.2 passer rating when targeted, 5.3% drop rate, 285.8 snaps per penalty
- Allen Lazard (2023-24, 26 GP): 60 receptions on 109 targets, 841 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT when targeted, 13 drops, 11 penalties — 55% catch rate, 7.7 yards per target, 90.0 passer rating when targeted, 17.8% drop rate, 121.4 snaps per penalty
In addition, Reynolds is capable of filling the specific role Lazard would be used in.
Standing at 6-foot-3 while catching 17-of-30 (56.7%) contested targets since 2022, Reynolds would be an upgrade as the Jets’ tall jump-ball target compared to the 6-foot-5 Lazard, who caught 21-of-54 (38.9%) contested targets over the same span. Also known for his tenacious blocking, Reynolds can assume Lazard’s role as the Z receiver who is counted on for key blocks in the run game.
With Reynolds only making $2.75 million in guarantees while offering better production than Lazard in the same role, it seems like a no-brainer for New York to part ways with Aaron Rodgers’ comrade at some point in the near future.
