NY Jets: Marcus Maye 'would welcome' a trade to a contender

The NY Jets rumor mill is heating up as the trade deadline approaches in a few weeks. And one player who's expected to be at the center of trade talks is safety Marcus Maye.

Maye has been involved in trade rumors for months now, really since the Jets opted to place the franchise tag on him after the two sides couldn't come to terms on an extension.

As the months have gone on, Maye's future with the Jets has become more and more uncertain. And as the deadline approaches, it appears as though Maye is preparing for life after New York as well.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Tuesday that Maye "would welcome a move to a contender" and that he's a "prime player to watch at the deadline."

None of that should come as much of a surprise, but it is just another sign hinting at Maye's seemingly inevitable departure.

Marcus Maye likely won't be on the NY Jets roster in 2022

A second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Maye has developed into a standout safety during his time in the NFL and is coming off the best season of his career in which he finished as Pro Football Focus' fifth-best safety.

Maye was hoping to receive a contract extension from the team that drafted him in the offseason, but the Jets clearly weren't too keen on keeping him around long-term. At least not at his asking price.

The franchise tag was always a temporary band-aid to what was an inevitable split. That split could come as soon as the beginning of next month, if not earlier.

There are a few complications, however. For starters, Maye's $10.6 million salary is more than most teams can take on at this stage which might not only limit potential buyers but decrease any value that he has.

On top of that, there's the issue of his legal situation which recently came to light. Maye was arrested back in February for a DUI and the Jets only became aware of this development this month.

He won't be suspended this season, but it's very possible that Maye faces a suspension and perhaps other punishments in the near future. Any team looking to acquire him as more than a half-year rental would certainly take that into account.

Maye has a bit more baggage than you'd like for someone who will be shopped at the deadline. Nonetheless, with his Jets career likely running out of time, it appears that both sides would be happy with a split.