Jets get it all wrong with surprise veteran cuts

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Jun 7, 2017

August 11, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) during practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Jets made some surprising moves this week by releasing linebacker David Harris and confirming they will be parting ways with wide receiver Eric Decker. They’re doing their rebuilding wrong.

Earlier this week, the New York Jets made not one but two surprise announcements when it came to two of their veteran players. First, they announced they will be parting ways with linebacker David Harris over his contract since they wanted a reduced salary as he entered the upcoming season. Secondly, on the very same day, they announced they will either trade or release wide receiver Eric Decker.

Now, the Jets are clearly rebuilding which is understood but at the same time, they’re not setting themselves up to have the right veteran leadership in place for what will be a rough season ahead. It’s no secret that the Jets will more than likely have another losing season but as we all remember, last season, the Jets made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

From players being late to meetings, off-the-field distractions, and a locker room in complete disarray, the Jets preached all offseason long around building the right culture. One that focuses on accountability and execution.

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Clearly, there is a lack of leadership both on and off the field but where it matters most, in the locker room, this will hit the Jets the hardest.

When the team starts going on consecutive losing streaks, what veteran presence will help keep everyone in check and focused on the task at hand?

Yes, the Jets have a plethora of young players as some will undoubtedly step up to assume leadership roles but let’s be real here.

It’s hard to have young players, especially rookies, step into a locker room and be a leader among men. It’s not easy, to say the least, as now the Jets pretty much made two dumb moves by parting ways with both Harris and Decker. While both are up there in age and playing some of the final few years of football left in their respective careers, the way the Jets handled them leaves a sour taste to how they handle business.

Moves like this should have been done months ago, to at least part ways and give two classy veterans that were leaders in the locker room a shot to find new teams and prepare. A team doesn’t make moves like this out of the blue in early June as most teams have already filled up their rosters and spent most of their salary cap money.

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Overall, the Jets got it all wrong when it came to releasing two key players that would have had major parts in developing younger players. These are moves that will come back to haunt the franchise when the going gets tough during the regular season.