3 NY Jets free agents who could be forced into retirement

The NY Jets will be forced to make a decision on a number of key internal free agents this offseason. Some of those free agents face challenging assessments and will require significant discussion. Others don't quite fit that profile.

Of the 22 unrestricted free agents the Jets are set to have this offseason, a large portion of them represent easy calls for the organization. In essence, the Jets aren't exactly going to prioritize re-signing players like Jalyn Holmes or Brett Rypien.

Some of these decisions might be made for the Jets, however. There are at least three notable Jets free agents who may have already played their final game in the NFL.

Here's a look at three Jets free agents who could be forced into retirement this offseason.

3. Al Woods, DT, NY Jets

The Jets signed veteran nose tackle Al Woods to a one-year contract last May with the expectation that the big-bodied NFL veteran would provide a much-needed boost to the team's run defense.

Woods was a solid contributor for the Jets, appearing in six games before a torn Achilles ended his season prematurely. There's a good chance that said Achilles injury also ended his career.

Woods has appeared in over 160 games over the course of 14 NFL seasons. He's played for six different teams and will turn 37 years old later this month. Given his age and his recent injury, it's hard to imagine Woods will continue to play next season.

Perhaps he's willing to give it one more shot as he looks to win his first Super Bowl ring. That shot likely won't come with the Jets, however, and the safe bet is just to assume he retires.