5 former NY Jets starters who might be done in the NFL

4. Carl Lawson, DE, NY Jets

Another player whose career has unfortunately been defined by injuries is Carl Lawson. Lawson was legitimately one of the best pass rushers in the NFL when the Jets signed him to a three-year, $45 million contract prior to the 2021 season.

Lawson immediately made an impact as the Jets' best player in training camp before tragically tearing his Achilles during a summer practice. He returned the following year and didn't show the same burst he did before his injury.

While Lawson was "healthy" for much of the 2023 season, a back injury suffered in the offseason severely limited his effectiveness. He appeared in just six games, registering no sacks, and was a healthy scratch for much of the year.

Lawson is still just 28 years old, but it's fair to wonder what he has left in the tank after all the injuries have piled up. Some team might be willing to bring him in for a camp invite this summer, but it's very possible he's played his final NFL snap.

3. Marcus Maye, S, NY Jets

General manager Joe Douglas is often graded on the moves he has made during his time with the Jets, but he should receive significant praise for one specific move he didn't make.

The Jets were engaged in a public contract dispute with former starting safety Marcus Maye, ultimately opting to place the franchise tag on him instead of extending him long-term. That proved to be a very wise decision.

Maye unfortunately tore his Achilles in his final year with the Jets in 2021 before signing a three-year, $28.5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints the following spring. His time in New Orleans did not go as planned.

Maye played in just 17 games over two years with the Saints, spending just as much time on the sideline due to injuries and suspensions as he did on the field. His off-field issues and mounting injury concerns might mean he's played his final NFL game.