Jets shockingly cut potential starting wide receiver in roster stunner

The New York Jets needed to make some changes to their 53-man roster following a trio of waiver claims on Wednesday, and one of the moves made is certain to raise some eyebrows.

Following the additions of offensive tackle Esa Pole, tight end Jelani Woods, and linebacker Cam Jones, the Jets announced the release of wide receiver Tyler Johnson, offensive guard Marquis Hayes, and linebacker Zaire Barnes.

Hayes and Barnes were expected releases as they were likely two of the final additions to the initial 53, and the Jets added players at their respective positions. Johnson, however, is a stunner.

The former Los Angeles Rams wideout was in the running for the starting WR3 position and spent most of the summer working with the first-team offense. His release leaves the Jets with just five wide receivers on their active roster.

Jets release WR Tyler Johnson in shocking roster decision

Johnson signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Jets this spring and was expected to play a key role in the team's wide receiver rotation. In theory, that's still possible, as the Jets could realistically bring him back at some point.

Johnson is a veteran and not subject to waivers, meaning there is a chance this is simply a procedural move for Gang Green. But those "roster gymnastics" typically only occur on cutdown day and usually involve IR decisions. That doesn't really apply here.

The only other logical explanation would be that the Jets have a trade pending for a player on their 53-man roster and will bring Johnson back once that deal is finalized and a roster spot is created. The more likely scenario, however, is that this is just a straight-up roster cut.

Johnson seems like a prime candidate to return to the practice squad if he's not picked up by another team. The latter seems like a real possibility, as Johnson is absolutely an NFL-caliber wide receiver.

The former Minnesota star hauled in 26 catches for 291 yards and a touchdown as the Rams' WR4 and later WR3 last season. Johnson was reportedly a hand-picked signing by new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn.

It also feels a bit bizarre for a coaching staff that has preached accountability and merit-based roster decisions all summer to have the likes of Allen Lazard and Xavier Gipson still on the 53-man roster while guys like Johnson, Brandon Smith, Jamaal Pritchett, and Quentin Skinner were all cut.

Of course, it's always best to wait to judge the finished product. The Jets have only five wide receivers on their roster right now (Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Arian Smith, and Xavier Gipson), so an external addition of some kind is very much possible.

Regardless, the Johnson release is a stunner and the latest in a string of questionable wide receiver roster decisions by this new Jets regime. Few would have seen this coming.

*Update: The Jets have re-signed Tyler Johnson to their practice squad.

Jets shockingly cut potential starting wide receiver in roster stunner

Jets release WR Tyler Johnson in shocking roster decision

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