NY Jets fans can't help but laugh at what Commanders paid for Javon Kinlaw

Former NY Jets defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw just signed one of the worst contracts in NFL history. No, that's not an exaggeration. It's reality.

The Washington Commanders have reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year, $45 million contract with Kinlaw that includes $30 million in guarantees. It's a massive chunk of money for a player who was legitimately one of the weakest links of a bad Jets defense in 2025.

The Jets signed Kinlaw, a former first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, to a one-year, $7 million contract last offseason in what many believed to be an overpay at the time. Kinlaw then proceeded to have what is arguably his worst year in the NFL.

That's what makes it downright unbelievable that the Commanders have decided to gift Kinlaw with a three-year deal that will pay him $15 million per season. It doesn't make sense — it's one of the worst contracts the NFL has seen in years.

Javon Kinlaw contract is one of the worst in NFL history

Kinlaw is coming off a disastrous season with the Jets. The former South Carolina standout struggled mightily in run defense, posting an abysmal 50.8 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade and a 36.4 PFF tackle grade. He missed 15 percent of his tackle attempts.

Kinlaw didn't offer much as a pass rusher either, finishing the year with just five sacks and 30 pressures. He was one of the biggest reasons for the Jets' defensive line meltdown in 2024, making it all the more stunning that he received this contract.

The Jets overpaid to land Kinlaw on a $7 million, one-year prove-it deal a year ago. The fact that the Commanders were willing to double his pay and give him $30 million guaranteed after his lackluster 2024 season is absurd. It just doesn't make sense.

The Jets will look to reshape their defensive line this offseason, a much-needed move given the struggles of last year's unit. Most assumed Kinlaw would try to catch on with another team, possibly on another one-year, prove-it deal.

Instead, he's now one of the higher-paid defensive tackles in the league. Sometimes the NFL goes rogue — this is one of those days.

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