NY Jets: Extending Marcus Maye is ‘still a priority’ for the team

NY Jets‘ general manager Joe Douglas was asked about a variety of topics in his post-draft press conference on Saturday, one of which regarded safety Marcus Maye.

Aside from the usual post-draft questions, the conversation surrounding Maye was perhaps the most interesting discussion that came up on Saturday.

Douglas was asked about Maye’s current contract situation and if the two sides would reconvene to discuss a possible extension now that the draft is over.

Given what Douglas said, it seems as though that’s the plan.

The NY Jets will continue extension talks with Marcus Maye

“It’s still a priority to keep Marcus [Maye] here long-term. We have had productive texts back and forth with his agent. We’re hoping to really dive into this now that the draft’s over.”

The Jets opted to place the franchise tag on Maye this offseason after what was a career-year for the former sceond-round pick. Maye broke out in 2020 and finished as one of the best safeties in football, even earning All-Pro votes.

He had always been a rock-solid starter, but in 2020, he proved that he belongs in the upper-echelon of safeties around the league. His 82.9 Pro Football Focus grade ranked fifth among all safeties and his 85.8 coverage grade ranked fourth.

Maye was superb last season, but the Jets still decided that the smart move was to place the franchise tag — valued at an incredibly cheap $10.6 million — on their star safety.

Maye’s agent took to Twitter a couple of months ago to bash the Jets for this decision, but not much has come of the situation since then. And as Douglas seemed to indicate, the two sides still plan to get a deal done.

The Jets will have until July 15th to reach a long-term deal or else Maye will be forced to play the 2021 season on the franchise tag. That would push any potential extension talks back until next offseason.

There’s still no guarantee that the Jets do re-sign Maye to a long-term deal. The former Florida star turns 29 next March and will be looking to cash in on his only opportunity on the open market.

Will Douglas and the Jets be willing to spend big money on a long-term deal for a 29-year-old safety? That much remains to be seen.

Maye is not only one of the most talented players on the roster but a vocal locker room leader. His value extends beyond his on-field contributions, but the NFL is a business and the Jets could make a business decision.

This is a situation worth monitoring over the next few months. At least according to Douglas, extension talks have re-opened between Marcus Maye and the Jets.