NY Jets make NFL history with brilliant Michael Carter II extension

The NY Jets have rewarded one of their most successful homegrown talents, reportedly agreeing to terms on a three-year, $30.75 million contract worth up to $33 million. The deal includes over $19 million in guarantees and makes Carter the highest-paid player at his position.

Carter officially surpasses Taron Johnson of the Buffalo Bills as the highest-paid nickel cornerback in NFL history in terms of total peak value and total guarantees. And yet, at just over $10 million per season, it still feels like an absolute bargain for the Jets.

Carter has developed into arguably the best nickel cornerback in the NFL since entering the league as a fifth-round pick in 2021. The Duke product ranked first among all slot corners in yards allowed (195), receptions allowed (25), yards per snap (0.54), and PFF coverage grade (83.3) in 2023.

Now, he has the contract to back up his stellar on-field performances. The Jets may be embroiled in a contract dispute with one of their other defensive standouts, but the Carter extension proves that the team is willing to pay their players what they deserve, at least when it comes to their former draft picks.

NY Jets lock up a crucial piece of their defense with Michael Carter II extension

Carter is actually the first former Joe Douglas draft pick to receive a multi-year extension. He remains one of the Jets' most notable development stories under the current regime.

A three-year starter at Duke, Carter played everything from outside cornerback to slot cornerback to safety in college and was widely seen as a late Day 3 pick or even an undrafted prospect entering the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Jets took a chance on the Blue Devils standout, selecting him with the 154th overall pick in that year's draft. Carter was expected to compete for playing time in a young and unproven Jets secondary as a rookie, and he quickly established himself as a regular starter.

Now entering his fourth year in the NFL, Carter can make a strong case to be the league's best nickel cornerback. That's a credit to Carter as well as Robert Saleh, Tony Oden, and the entire Jets defensive staff.

It remains to be seen what the Jets will do with their other soon-to-be free-agent cornerback, D.J. Reed, but the team made sure that Carter wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.

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