NY Jets must avoid repeating history with Michael Carter II extension

The NY Jets defense, though still among the league's elite, has had to play catch-up and recover from the loss of a homegrown talent in defensive end Bryce Huff this offseason. The big slip-up that led to this was their failure to extend Huff before he hit free agency.

Huff joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Memphis. Though an unheralded prospect, in his four years in New York he turned into one of the more impactful outside pass-rushers in the league.

The Jets' depth at that position led them to allow Huff to test the free agency market, which turned out to be lucrative for him. The Philadelphia Eagles gave him a three-year, $51.1 million contract with $34.4 of that guaranteed.

Although the Jets have more or less recovered, adding star pass rusher Haason Reddick, it was still a mistake that they need to avoid making again.

Reddick is a great piece to have on defense, but he is also an aging veteran, whereas Huff is a rising young star. If the Jets are going to use a large share of their resources on an outside pass rusher, it would ideally be on the latter not the former.

The NY Jets must prioritize a Michael Carter II extension

Another homegrown talent, cornerback Michael Carter II, is coming up for an extension and it is crucial that they do not repeat their previous sins. They would be wise to lock him up and pair Sauce Gardner with one of his position-mates for the foreseeable future.

Carter has been an invaluable cog in the Jets' defensive machine. He has turned out to be yet another successful Jets' defensive draft pick in recent years, one who has helped lead the defense to heights they haven't experienced in years. It seems like it should be a no-brainer, but so did Bryce Huff.

Having such an elite cornerback in Gardner is a luxury almost no teams have. The fact that the Jets have the added luxury of a talent like Carter in the slot is extremely rare and extremely special.

In a league that is so incredibly pass-happy, securing the cornerback position is arguably the most important thing a team can do on defense.

Ever since drafting him in the fifth round out of Duke in 2021, the Jets have had Carter at a cheap price point relative to the production he has put out. He has yet to eclipse $1.5 million in a season, and even this year, his salary will not eclipse $3.5 million.

He is more than deserving of a new contract, and it would be beneficial for the Jets to get a deal done sooner rather than later.