Vilified Jets draft pick is likely counting down his final days in New York

The New York Jets will have decisions to make on a number of pending free agents this offseason, with players like Breece Hall and Alijah Vera-Tucker expected to generate plenty of debate. One decision that should be far more straightforward, however, involves defensive lineman Micheal Clemons.

Clemons is set to hit the open market for the first time in his NFL career after another season in a significant rotational role for the Jets. While he made just six starts after starting all 17 games in 2024, Clemons still played a career-high 55 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2025.

The much-maligned Clemons hasn't exactly endeared himself to Jets fans over the last couple of seasons, and with his rookie contract set to expire, it seems unlikely that the organization will look to bring him back this offseason.

That said, Clemons could end up drawing more interest on the open market than many might expect. And while it would almost certainly be met with backlash from the fan base, there is at least a conceivable scenario in which the Jets consider bringing him back.

Will the Jets re-sign Micheal Clemons in free agency?

Clemons has simply been overexposed by the Jets over the past two seasons. He’s a slow-footed, plodding edge defender who offers little as a pass rusher and can struggle to set the edge against more dynamic athletes, but that doesn’t mean he’s a complete zero.

The Texas A&M product has proven to be a capable depth defensive lineman in the past when he hasn't been asked to play 50% of snaps. He flashed genuine upside as a rookie, showcasing his ability to make an impact as a run-defender and occasional power rusher.

While he’s clearly a limited player — and his tendency for ill-timed penalties has been frustrating — NFL-caliber defensive ends who have logged more than 1,200 snaps over the past two seasons don’t exactly grow on trees.

He isn't going to get a Javon Kinlaw-level contract from another team, but it wouldn't be stunning to see him receive a heftier contract than most probably expect. Somewhere in the three-year, $15 million range seems reasonable.

That said, the Jets would be better served looking elsewhere for defensive end depth. With an abundance of resources at their disposal this offseason, the team should prioritize upgrading its defensive line, and Clemons shouldn’t factor into their plans for 2026.

Don't be surprised if Clemons reunites with one of his former coaches and ends up in Tennessee or Atlanta, but as far as his Jets career is concerned, the writing appears to be on the wall.