4 NY Jets players who shouldn't be back next year (but probably will be)

The NY Jets are set to enter an offseason that will make or break the future of both the current regime and the organization as a whole. The Jets can ill-afford to make the same mistakes they did a year ago if they're to salvage their current window of opportunity.

That means the Jets will need to be smarter with their free-agent acquisitions and land more instant-impact contributors in the 2024 NFL Draft. Before all of that, however, the Jets must first evaluate their current roster.

The Jets underperformed in 2023, and while much of that can be blamed on the Aaron Rodgers injury, there were other factors at play. Some players fell well short of expectations.

The following four players might not deserve to be back with the Jets in 2024, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. Don't be surprised if these four players are still on the Jets' roster next season.

4. Jordan Whitehead, S, NY Jets

"Probably" is a strong word as it pertains to the future of Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead is set to be a free agent this offseason, and it's unclear if the Jets have any plans to bring him back.

Based on merit alone, they shouldn't. Whitehead was arguably the weakest link in an otherwise outstanding Jets defense in 2023, leading all NFL safeties in both missed tackles and touchdowns allowed.

Fellow Jets safeties Chuck Clark and Ashtyn Davis are also free agents this offseason, and both of them have a stronger case to return. The Jets might not feel the same way, however.

The Jets seem to think much more highly of their safety room, specifically Whitehead, than fans and media alike. That's why there's still a decent chance Whitehead is re-signed in the offseason if the price is right.

3. Randall Cobb, WR, NY Jets

Objectively speaking, Randall Cobb has no place on the Jets' roster in 2024. He has no place on any NFL roster at this stage of his career. But we all know why it can't be ruled out.

The Jets signed Cobb to a one-year deal last spring with the belief that he'd compete for playing time toward the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart. After all, the Jets had just signed Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman and were returning Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis.

Surely Cobb would be little more than a depth piece competing for a roster spot, right? That's not exactly what happened.

Davis retired, and Cobb found himself working ahead of Hardman in training camp. The Jets went on to trade Hardman after playing just a handful of snaps, while Lazard struggled and was also benched.

This meant that Cobb ended up playing a whopping 210 offensive snaps for the Jets in 2023. He didn't do much with those snaps, recording just five catches for 39 yards all season. Still, he was a regular part of the Jets' offense for much of the year.

That cannot be the case in 2024. One of the Jets' primary goals this offseason should be to completely reshape their wide receiver room. They can't be relying on the likes of Cobb and a host of undrafted free agents next season.

Unfortunately, Cobb's close relationship with Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett means that if he wants to continue playing football next season, the Jets will likely find a spot for him. That's the reality of the situation.

2. Laken Tomlinson, LG, NY Jets

The Jets believed they were adding a Pro-Bowl-caliber offensive guard when they signed Laken Tomlinson to a three-year, $40 million contract prior to the start of the 2022 season.

Tomlinson was fresh off a Pro Bowl campaign with the San Francisco 49ers the year before, had experience playing in a very similar offensive system, and had missed just one game in his NFL career.

It was a home-run signing — a can't-miss move for the Jets. Unfortunately, while Tomlinson has maintained his impressive streak of durability, his performance has fallen well short of expectations.

Tomlinson's 55.0 Pro Football Focus grade in 2023 ranked 54th out of 77 qualified offensive guards — a modest improvement from his 58th overall ranking in his first season with the Jets.

The former first-round pick allowed an NFL-worst 51 pressures this past season, also ranking second with seven sacks surrendered. His 49.6 PFF run-block grade ranked 66th out of 79 qualifiers. On a Jets offensive line riddled with injuries, Tomlinson was often among the team's worst performers.

The Jets can cut Tomlinson this offseason and save over $8 million in the process, but they'd also be forced to eat over $10 million in dead cap space. The more likely option is probably a restructure, which would save the team over $8.5 million in 2024 cap.

The Jets value Tomlinson's durability and leadership. They seem to believe that his on-field performance would improve with a better supporting cast. I'd be surprised if Tomlinson wasn't on the team in 2024.

1. Allen Lazard, WR, NY Jets

Based purely on performance, Allen Lazard does not deserve to be on the Jets' roster in 2024. What we saw from Lazard in his first season with the organization has many already labeling him as one of the worst free-agent signings in franchise history.

The Jets signed Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract last March. He received the most guaranteed money of any wide receiver signed last offseason. The Jets had big plans for the former undrafted free agent.

Of course, Lazard was excited about the potential to continue his career with Aaron Rodgers in New York. Rodgers helped Lazard put up a career-high 788 yards and six touchdowns the year prior in Green Bay. What could the two do together with the Jets?

The answer is nothing. Rodgers infamously tore his Achilles four plays into the season, and Lazard proceeded to play the worst football of his professional career over the remainder of the season.

Lazard finished the season with the worst drop rate among all wide receivers with at least 40 targets. Despite his hefty contract, he was rendered a healthy scratch on multiple occasions. His effort was called into question as well.

Unfortunately, the Jets can't feasibly move on from Lazard until after the 2024 season — something that head coach Robert Saleh publicly alluded to last year. The Jets would lose over $6.5 million in cap space by releasing him. It's significantly less expensive to just keep him on the roster.

Barring a sudden and complete turnaround, the Jets will be moving on from Lazard after next season, but he has to remain on the roster for at least one more year.