Jets were right to bring back Morris Claiborne

The New York Jets made the right choice bringing back cornerback Morris Claiborne in free agency considering everything he brings to the table.

It took a little longer to bring in another cornerback than some people would have thought after general manager Mike Maccagnan made an aggressive move to obtain the services of Trumaine Johnson. But the smart move was undoubtedly made to have Morris Claiborne return to play the opposite side of the field for the New York Jets.

Claiborne is returning to the Jets after signing a one year, $7 million deal. In a season where the Jets were performing a hard reset on the roster and the team had virtually zero expectations to fulfill, Claiborne had one of the better seasons of his professional career during his first season as a Jet.

The Johnson acquisition will only help Claiborne settle into a role where he does not have to be the main point of focus of a defense and can defer that responsibility to another player better suited to handle number one receivers.

More from Free Agency

• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency
• NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target
• NY Jets expected to be ‘much more aggressive’ in free agency this year

Claiborne’s contract also puts the Jets in a good position due to his injury history.  While it is nice to see him have some success as a Jet, as a previous recipient of knee and shoulder injuries, it would behoove the team to sign him to multiple short term deals in order to mitigate the risk that comes with a player known to be injury prone the way he has.

As the 2017 campaign came to a close, Claiborne expressed a desire to return to the Jets in 2018. In an article written by Calvin Watkins of Newsday he said the following:

“I hope to be back here, that’s my plan, that’s what I want to do. I like it here. I like the coaching staff, the trainers, I like everything about the Jets organization, since I’ve been here. It’s been nothing but love. I would rather go nowhere else, I would rather stay here.’”

Claiborne tied a career high with eight passes defended this season.  With him not defending the number one option anymore, it will give him another opportunity to settle into a role and open different options up for him on the field.