NY Jets: 10 bold, optimistic predictions for the 2021 season

7. Marcus Maye earns an extension from the NY Jets

After the release of Blessaun Austin in a surprising move, it seems the Jets have fully committed to the youth movement they were moving toward since this offseason began.

The cut may have been a shock, but the Jets now have the youngest roster in the league. This means that paying older players may not be in the cards.

This seems to be where the Marcus Maye situation is trending, as the 28-year-old safety is currently playing on the franchise tag for the 2021 season.

Unless the Jets play well enough to show their team is just on the fringe of making a deep playoff run, extending an older player like Maye wouldn't make much sense.

That is, unless Maye has a massive season. Last year, Maye proved that he was the right safety to keep around. He didn't have any issue in doing his job and had his best season since being drafted to the Jets.

While some could argue that he earned his extension already, this could prove to be Maye's "prove it" season in New York.

The secondary is slated to be on its heels most of the year, with the most experienced player at cornerback coming in Bryce Hall, a second-year, late-round player.

If Maye can prove himself valuable in defending the pass, he could eventually force Joe Douglas to give in and pay him.

A contract extension seems unlikely for an older player like Maye, despite him being a fan-favorite. Still, if he builds upon the season he had last year, the argument for keeping him around would be even harder to argue against.