NY Jets: Reduced training camp rosters is bad news for bubble players

The NY Jets could see some back-of-the-roster players cut before the start of training camp.

The NY Jets and the rest of the NFL world are preparing for what’s expected to be a very contentious training camp and preseason period.

While training camps are still scheduled to begin on time at the moment — in late July — the preseason has already been shortened from four games to two. And that might not be the only change to the preseason period.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that NFL teams aren’t expected to carry the usual 90 players into training camp this season. Instead, some are projecting that rosters could be decreased to anywhere from 75-80 players.

That means that upwards to 10-15 players currently on the Jets roster could be cut from now until the start of training camp later this month.

And for back-of-the-roster players such as various undrafted rookies, that could spell the end of their Jets tenure before they ever really had a chance.

The reduced training camp roster size is bad news for a number of NY Jets players.

Every year we see a number of undrafted free agents find their way on to rosters because of strong showings in training camp and the preseason.

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Just this past year, Kyle Phillips impressed in the summer and earned a roster spot as a result. He ended up becoming a key fixture in the front-seven rotation playing nearly 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.

That’s more than third overall pick Quinnen Williams received.

However, Phillips was only given that opportunity because of the 90-man roster that the team had going into training camp. If rosters are cut to 75 or so players, many individuals like Phillips simply won’t have that opportunity.

A decrease in roster sizes heading into training camp is bad news for roster bubble players looking to fight their way on to the roster in the summer. This isn’t going to affect the Mekhi Becton’s and the Denzel Mims’.

But for a player like undrafted receiver George Campbell, it might. Other undrafted players like Javelin Guidry, Domenique Davis, and a number of other young rookies could be on the chopping block.

But this isn’t a problem exclusive to undrafted players either. A few veterans who the Jets may not feel have a legitimate shot at making the roster could be cut before training camp as well.

Some of those players may not be of much importance to Jets fans. Guys like Mike White, Jehu Chesson, and Jimmy Murray were unlikely to make any type of impact this season as well.

You’d be hard-pressed to find many Jets fans who even know who those players are.

But could this mean an early departure for guys like Brian Winters or Avery Williamson? The Jets could move on from either veteran if they’re looking to shed some cap and they might decide to do it sooner rather than later.

It’s unlikely they cut ties with them before even seeing them on the field in training camp, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

Either way, there will likely be cuts — much sooner than in normal years. And for the back-of-the-roster players trying to force their way on to the roster, they may not be afforded an opportunity to do so.