NY Jets release a pair of reserve defensive players

The NY Jets have released linebacker Ahmad Gooden and safety Anthony Cioffi.

The NY Jets kicked off the actual on-field practice portion of their 2020 training camp on Friday as the team returned to the gridiron, albeit with masks and without pads.

Nonetheless, it feels good to return to some semblance of normality after an offseason that was anything but. Unfortunately, while the Jets will return to the field on Monday, they’ll be doing so without a couple of their players.

The Jets announced a few roster moves on Saturday including the release of two reserve defensive players who were seen as longshots to make the roster.

The first of which was linebacker Ahmad Gooden who was activated off of the COVID-19 list and subsequently released shortly after. Gooden spent the entire offseason with the team after a short stint on the Jets’ practice squad last year.

An undrafted rookie out of Samford in 2019, Gooden signed on with the Denver Broncos and actually played three games with the team including a tackle and a QB hit.

But he was waived in the middle of December and promptly signed to the Jets’ practice for the final week of the season.

Gooden was seen as a major longshot to make the final 53-man roster but his versatility to play either off-ball linebacker of as an edge rusher meant that there was a chance he could earn a practice squad spot.

But it’s unlikely that’s the case now.

Ahmad Gooden wasn’t the only player the NY Jets released on Saturday.

The Jets also reportedly released former CFL safety Anthony Cioffi. A local New Jersey native, Cioffi attended Rutgers and signed on with the Oakland Raiders after going undrafted in 2017.

After failing to make the roster, Cioffi would sign with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League where he spent the last two seasons. The Jets offered Cioffi a deal back in February and he was expected to compete for the final safety spot.

He had a chance too with the competition behind Marcus Maye, Bradley McDougald, and Ashtyn Davis wide open. The Jets even gave him Jamal Adams’ No. 33 for his lone practice.

But ultimately, the team made their decision and he was quickly cut after just one legitimate practice.

The Jets also activated undrafted safety Shyheim Carter off of the COVID-19 list which likely contributed to Cioffi’s release. That leaves rookie fifth-round pick Bryce Hall as the only Jets player still on the list.

Once Hall is activated, the Jets might choose to release another player so his status is worth monitoring for a number of reasons.