Breaking down current 2018 salary cap situation of the Jets

Here’s a breakdown of the current salary cap situation of the New York Jets as they prepare for the long offseason ahead.

The upcoming offseason will be one of the most important in franchise history for the New York Jets. They’ll have a lot of salary cap money to play with, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and a lot of hope that general manager Mike Maccagnan can work his usual magic and finally address many key issues on the roster.

Right from the start, the most glaring needs are at quarterback, offensive line, cornerback, pass rush, and well, it wouldn’t hurt to add some more offensive playmakers to the mix. Everyone knows the Jets have a lot of salary cap money this offseason, but how much exactly?

As per OverTheCap.com, the Jets at this point in time have a little over $72 million in overall team salary cap space. That’s not counting the upcoming player cuts to add even more money to the cap. The Jets can easily get over $100 million when all is said and done if they cut overpaid and underperforming players.

Depending on what route the Jets want to go in free agency, they should be able to address two, maybe even three major areas of need. They have enough funds to acquire a top quarterback, center, and even a pass rusher.

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Of course, what the Jets do in free agency could very well alter their draft strategy but at the end of the day, rebuilding the right way requires success in both yearly events. If the Jets acquire several top free agents in addition to having a successful draft class, it will only expedite their rebuilding.

It’s hard to envision the Jets being contenders as soon as next season but anything can happen in the NFL. Realistically, however, everything should fall into place and have players ready to make some serious noise in 2019 and beyond. Sorry Jets fans, it will more than likely require just one more year of rebuilding at the sacrifice of football wins for the sake of a continuing to work out the kinks of this team.

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With all this potential salary cap money to spend this offseason, what a bright future it will be if Maccagnan and company get it all done right in their biggest year yet of rebuilding. Have trust in Maccagnan to get the job done since it takes a lot of patience to create the winning formula he’s been envisioning since he first got the job in 2015.