Major Bidding Wars on the Horizon for Maccagnan, Jets?

[JetNation]

By Glenn Naughton

 

With the start of the NFL free agency period roughly one week away, Jets fans anxiously awaiting what they expect to be a flurry of star free agent signings should probably proceed with caution.

Currently projected to have over $50 million in cap space with the possibility of increasing that number by over $10 million if wide receiver Percy Harvin is cut loose, the Jets would appear to be in the driver’s seat.  Despite having plenty of needs to fill and lots of money to do it with, the biggest problem facing the Jets and GM Mike Maccagnan could be the fact that they’re far from alone.

According to overthecap.com, three teams will have more cap room than the Jets (Jaguars $68M, Raiders $55M, Browns $53M) while ten additional teams will be somewhere in the  neighborhood of $30 million in spending room.  Those teams also have a week remaining to free up additional space by restructuring contracts or releasing players before March 10th.

As one might expect, with the exception of the Indianapolis Colts ($44M), the five teams with the most money to spend are in that group for a reason…they’re non-playoff teams in need significant upgrades up and down their rosters.  Should the Jets covet any of the top available talent on the market, bidding wars are sure to ensue.

While players will almost always go for the biggest pay-day, other factors could come in to play if multiple offers come in around the same dollar figure.  Of course that can always be overcome by overpaying for a player, but as Jets fans know, that approach often lands you back in “cap hell” with no guarantee of success in the interim.

JetNation.com takes at some of the NFL’s top free agents who many expect to be on the Jets’ radar when free agency gets underway.

CB Byron Maxwell- Maxwell is prepared to become the top cornerback on the market according to NFL.com.  Given the number of teams lacking at the position, the bidding for the corner could become intense.  Last season, in a market that was flooded with pro-bowl level talent at the position, players such as Aquib Talib and Vontae Davis signed contracts worth roughly $10 million per season,  with approximately 45%-50% of that being guaranteed money.  As the consensus number one corner this time around, Maxwell will likely look to be in that range which currently places him on NFL.com’s list of free agents who will be paid too much.

While some sources have named the Philadelphia Eagles as Maxwell’s most likely landing spot, there are other destinations that have an advantage in negotiating with the young defender if they opt to pursue him.

Dan Quinn, Maxwell’s defensive coordinator in Seattle with the Seahawks is on board as the Falcons new head coach and could woo his former pupil.  By signing with Atlanta, Maxwell would eliminate any learning curve that would come with joining a new franchise and could raise his profile as the most important defensive player on the field  for a team  that ranked dead last in the NFL, allowing 279 per game through the air.  The Falcons currently have over $33 million in cap room to work with.

Another possibility for Maxwell that should be considered for a lot of the same reasons is the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Before Dan Quinn was calling the defensive plays in Seattle, current Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley held that post from 2010-2012, his final two seasons being Maxwell’s first in the NFL.  Maxwell is familiar with both teams, each club has a need for and can afford his services, and both offer something that no other team, including the Jets, can offer.

As a native of South Carolina, when deciding where he would play college football, Maxwell chose to stay close to home and attend Clemson University.  Both Atlanta and Jacksonville are roughly four hours from his home town of North Charleston, SC.  If Maxwell is indeed a player who wishes to stay close to friends and family, all other bidders may face an uphill battle in trying to lure him away from his southern roots without facing the possibility of overpaying.

OG Mike Iupati-  During the NFL combine, Jets head coach Todd Bowles talked about the Jets’ need to “get tougher up front” and Iupati is about as tough as they come.   Undoubtedly among the top run-blockers in the league, Iupati can also be somewhat of a liability in pass protection.  Over the course of the past three seasons Iupati has surrendered 12 QB sacks, 12 hits and 53 hurries.

Those numbers haven’t stopped him from being among the most talked about free agents on the market as seemingly every team in the league has been rumored to be interested in securing the services of the all-pro guard.

While statements from players citing a desire to “stay put” with their current team are often seen as little more than lip service, it makes sense for Iupati who was raised in California and has only played for San Francisco.  It appears that the 49ers salary cap situation (currently $2 million under) is such that retaining Iupati may not be a reality as he is expected to test free agency, but with a supposed renewed commitment to running the ball, will the 49ers find a way to make it work?

Two teams currently said to be interested in obtaining Iupati are the Tampa Bay Bucs and Dan Snyder’s Washington Redskins, each team having $55 million and $40 million respectively to spend in free agency.  If either of those two teams make Iupati a top priority, he could make a run at being the league’s top paid guard which would move him ahead of Logan Mankins and his $8.5 million salary.

With gaping holes elsewhere, the Jets may look for a more cap friendly option as Kristian Dyer of Metro is reporting that the Jets are rumored to have interest in Bengals free agent guard Clint Boling as well as Seahawks free agent James Carpenter.

 

WR Randall Cobb- Cobb is an intriguing free agent for several reasons.   He’s coming off of a career year in which he posted an impressive stat line of 91/1,287/12 in Green Bay.  Of course those numbers were bolstered by having Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and Jordy Nelson drawing plenty of attention from opposing defenses.  Much like Eric Decker last year, some teams may try to project Cobb’s value considering what will likely be a drop in production as a departure from the Packers will almost certainly mean playing with an inferior quarterback.

With over $30 million in cap space, the Packers could let Cobb test the market before trying to bring him back if he’s not able to get the type of deal he is seeking, currently rumored to be $12 million per year according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Sentinel.

If Cobb is in fact looking to cash in as one of the top-ten paid receivers in the NFL, the Oakland Raiders might be a good fit given their history of overpaying for talent and their desire to build around last year’s first round pick, quarterback Derek Carr.

While nobody knows who sits atop the Jets list of free agent targets, a talent rich draft at the WR position and the number six overall pick could make a bidding war over Cobb cost prohibitive for the green and white.

FS Devin McCourty- Bill Belichick and the Patriots rarely get caught with their pants down when it comes to managing their personnel, but they may have done just that with the McCourty situation.

Having used their franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski, McCourty becomes the top safety available in free agency and if the Patriots don’t get him signed to a deal before he can start talking to other teams, offers will start pouring in.

For the Jets, adding McCourty would be an ideal scenario as the converted cornerback would give them a true “center fielder” to pair with last year’s first round selection Calvin Pryor while dealing a blow the Patriots defense.  Some feel the Patriots overplayed their hand with one of their most important players and will now risk losing him to another contender.

Like Maxwell, McCourty chose a college close to home in attending Rutgers University but being from New York puts him within a few hours of several NFL teams, many of which could pick up the phone and make him a high-dollar offer to pry him away from the Foxboro.

Teams and agents are free to start negotiating contracts on March 7th and players can start signing new deals on the 10th.  In one week, Jets fans will find out just  how much their new regime is willing to spend in an effort to build for the future and rebound from a forgettable 4-12 2014 campaign.  Can’t wait!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[JetsFanInDenver]

No one won a championship by overpaying for multiple players.

[joewilly12]

1 piece of the puzzle at a time 

 

In Maccagnan we trust 

[AFJF]

No one won a championship by overpaying for multiple players.

 

It happens, but seems to bomb more often than not.  

[Miss Lonelyhearts]

The last time anybody won a bidding war it was for Reggie White.

[BigRy56]

Sign Iupati, McCourty, Bulaga, Revis, Cobb, Hughes, and Cromartie on Day 1 MAC!!!!

[Patriot Killa]

Sign Iupati, McCourty, Bulaga, Revis, Cobb, Hughes, and Cromartie on Day 1 MAC!!!!

That would be... literally.. beauty in the purest form.

[OuttaSightPF]

By Glenn Naughton With the start of the NFL free agency period roughly one week away, Jets fans anxiously awaiting what they expect to be a flurry of star free agent signings should probably proceed with caution.Currently projected to have over $50 million in cap space with the possibility of increasing that number by over $10 million if wide receiver Percy Harvin is cut loose, the Jets would appear to be in the driver’s seat.  Despite having plenty of needs to fill and lots of money to do it with, the biggest problem facing the Jets and GM Mike Maccagnan could be the fact that they’re far from alone.According to overthecap.com, three teams will have more cap room than the Jets (Jaguars $68M, Raiders $55M, Browns $53M) while ten additional teams will be somewhere in the  neighborhood of $30 million in spending room.  Those teams also have a week remaining to free up additional space by restructuring contracts or releasing players before March 10th.As one might expect, with the exception of the Indianapolis Colts ($44M), the five teams with the most money to spend are in that group for a reason…they’re non-playoff teams in need significant upgrades up and down their rosters.  Should the Jets covet any of the top available talent on the market, bidding wars are sure to ensue.While players will almost always go for the biggest pay-day, other factors could come in to play if multiple offers come in around the same dollar figure.  Of course that can always be overcome by overpaying for a player, but as Jets fans know, that approach often lands you back in “cap hell” with no guarantee of success in the interim.JetNation.com takes at some of the NFL’s top free agents who many expect to be on the Jets’ radar when free agency gets underway.CB Byron Maxwell- Maxwell is prepared to become the top cornerback on the market according to NFL.com.  Given the number of teams lacking at the position, the bidding for the corner could become intense.  Last season, in a market that was flooded with pro-bowl level talent at the position, players such as Aquib Talib and Vontae Davis signed contracts worth roughly $10 million per season,  with approximately 45%-50% of that being guaranteed money.  As the consensus number one corner this time around, Maxwell will likely look to be in that range which currently places him on NFL.com’s list of free agents who will be paid too much.While some sources have named the Philadelphia Eagles as Maxwell’s most likely landing spot, there are other destinations that have an advantage in negotiating with the young defender if they opt to pursue him.Dan Quinn, Maxwell’s defensive coordinator in Seattle with the Seahawks is on board as the Falcons new head coach and could woo his former pupil.  By signing with Atlanta, Maxwell would eliminate any learning curve that would come with joining a new franchise and could raise his profile as the most important defensive player on the field  for a team  that ranked dead last in the NFL, allowing 279 per game through the air.  The Falcons currently have over $33 million in cap room to work with.Another possibility for Maxwell that should be considered for a lot of the same reasons is the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Before Dan Quinn was calling the defensive plays in Seattle, current Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley held that post from 2010-2012, his final two seasons being Maxwell’s first in the NFL.  Maxwell is familiar with both teams, each club has a need for and can afford his services, and both offer something that no other team, including the Jets, can offer.As a native of South Carolina, when deciding where he would play college football, Maxwell chose to stay close to home and attend Clemson University.  Both Atlanta and Jacksonville are roughly four hours from his home town of North Charleston, SC.  If Maxwell is indeed a player who wishes to stay close to friends and family, all other bidders may face an uphill battle in trying to lure him away from his southern roots without facing the possibility of overpaying.OG Mike Iupati-  During the NFL combine, Jets head coach Todd Bowles talked about the Jets’ need to “get tougher up front” and Iupati is about as tough as they come.   Undoubtedly among the top run-blockers in the league, Iupati can also be somewhat of a liability in pass protection.  Over the course of the past three seasons Iupati has surrendered 12 QB sacks, 12 hits and 53 hurries.Those numbers haven’t stopped him from being among the most talked about free agents on the market as seemingly every team in the league has been rumored to be interested in securing the services of the all-pro guard.While statements from players citing a desire to “stay put” with their current team are often seen as little more than lip service, it makes sense for Iupati who was raised in California and has only played for San Francisco.  It appears that the 49ers salary cap situation (currently $2 million under) is such that retaining Iupati may not be a reality as he is expected to test free agency, but with a supposed renewed commitment to running the ball, will the 49ers find a way to make it work?Two teams currently said to be interested in obtaining Iupati are the Tampa Bay Bucs and Dan Snyder’s Washington Redskins, each team having $55 million and $40 million respectively to spend in free agency.  If either of those two teams make Iupati a top priority, he could make a run at being the league’s top paid guard which would move him ahead of Logan Mankins and his $8.5 million salary.With gaping holes elsewhere, the Jets may look for a more cap friendly option as Kristian Dyer of Metro is reporting that the Jets are rumored to have interest in Bengals free agent guard Clint Boling as well as Seahawks free agent James Carpenter. WR Randall Cobb- Cobb is an intriguing free agent for several reasons.   He’s coming off of a career year in which he posted an impressive stat line of 91/1,287/12 in Green Bay.  Of course those numbers were bolstered by having Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and Jordy Nelson drawing plenty of attention from opposing defenses.  Much like Eric Decker last year, some teams may try to project Cobb’s value considering what will likely be a drop in production as a departure from the Packers will almost certainly mean playing with an inferior quarterback.With over $30 million in cap space, the Packers could let Cobb test the market before trying to bring him back if he’s not able to get the type of deal he is seeking, currently rumored to be $12 million per year according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Sentinel.If Cobb is in fact looking to cash in as one of the top-ten paid receivers in the NFL, the Oakland Raiders might be a good fit given their history of overpaying for talent and their desire to build around last year’s first round pick, quarterback Derek Carr.While nobody knows who sits atop the Jets list of free agent targets, a talent rich draft at the WR position and the number six overall pick could make a bidding war over Cobb cost prohibitive for the green and white.FS Devin McCourty- Bill Belichick and the Patriots rarely get caught with their pants down when it comes to managing their personnel, but they may have done just that with the McCourty situation.Having used their franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski, McCourty becomes the top safety available in free agency and if the Patriots don’t get him signed to a deal before he can start talking to other teams, offers will start pouring in.For the Jets, adding McCourty would be an ideal scenario as the converted cornerback would give them a true “center fielder” to pair with last year’s first round selection Calvin Pryor while dealing a blow the Patriots defense.  Some feel the Patriots overplayed their hand with one of their most important players and will now risk losing him to another contender.Like Maxwell, McCourty chose a college close to home in attending Rutgers University but being from New York puts him within a few hours of several NFL teams, many of which could pick up the phone and make him a high-dollar offer to pry him away from the Foxboro.Teams and agents are free to start negotiating contracts on March 7th and players can start signing new deals on the 10th.  In one week, Jets fans will find out just  how much their new regime is willing to spend in an effort to build for the future and rebound from a forgettable 4-12 2014 campaign.  Can’t wait!      http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Jetnationcom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Jetnationcom?d=qj6IDK7rITshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Jetnationcom/~4/FZZi1Qtcz3UView the full article

Boy, do I hope this guy is up to this challenge. Mac is our biggest X-factor by far. It's scary becuse with this much money to spend and this many holes to fill we will know in about 2 -3 weeks if he is up to the job. If he doesn't land some impact free agents and sign them for the right money he is over his head. I Didn't feel that way about Idzik. He obviously stepped into a cap nightmare with a lame duck coach who the owner had a crush on. it really was a no win.

But here Mac has all the cap room, a few good young players to build with, top 6 pick in every round, his scouting department, a new coaching staff that he was obviously a big part of picking, even Bowles. If people gave up on Idzik in 1.5 seasons how long does this guy get?

Not long. Sadly.

[AFJF]

The last time anybody won a bidding war it was for Reggie White.

 

I guess that all depends on your definition of a bidding war.  To me, it's when a team makes an offer to a player and another team attempts to sweep in and outbid you.  Sometimes it's back and forth and sometimes it's one offer that blows another out of the water.  Pretty much what happened last season with the Jets/Giants and DRC.

[32EBoozer]

This crazy amount of money that's about to be thrown around at FA players should certainly help Demaurice Smith turn away the challenge from Revis' uncle for control of the NFLPA.

Thank goodness! Revis Uncle = Players strike

[Gas2No99]

No one won a championship by overpaying for multiple players.

 

Baseball: 1997 Marlins, 2009 Yankees, 

 

NFL: 1994 49ers, 

[Miss Lonelyhearts]

I guess that all depends on your definition of a bidding war. To me, it's when a team makes an offer to a player and another team attempts to sweep in and outbid you. Sometimes it's back and forth and sometimes it's one offer that blows another out of the water. Pretty much what happened last season with the Jets/Giants and DRC.

Yep. Nobody won that one.

[JetsFanInDenver]

Baseball: 1997 Marlins, 2009 Yankees, 

 

NFL: 1994 49ers, 

 

Baseball:       different sport.

 

NFL in 1994: different rules.

[AFJF]

Yep. Nobody won that one.

 

Now we can discuss the definition of the word "won"....LOL

[Matt39]

Kendall Langford is visiting the Jets.

[Gastineau Lives]

No one won a championship by overpaying for multiple players.

 

The Seattle Seahawks paid Sidney Rice 10 mil , Zach Miller 11 mil and also paid 5 mil for the nothing they got from Harvin that year. On a 123 mil dollar cap.

[Obrien2Toon]

Iupati is a must for me, see him transforming the whole line like Faneca did. Worldis would also be nice.

The rest would just be gravy

[AFJF]

Yesterday's moves put the Eagles roughly $50 mil under the cap and that could climb closer to $60 if they dump Demeco Ryans.  Add another big bidder to the list because their secondary is in worse shape than the Jets.

[HOZ THE JET]

Sign Iupati, McCourty, Bulaga, Revis, Cobb, Hughes, and Cromartie on Day 1 MAC!!!!

That's Madden like I would be happy with half of them but as a 1st year GM I bet he's ready to make a huge splash this off season.

[Jetster]

I think this you can't buy a good team is BS!

If you look at the big spenders in free agency over the last 10 years you'll see that a lot of those big dollar signings were for guys that were on the other side of their careers, guys past their prime.

If you look at the ages of the free agents in 2015 it's insane! Even we got Fanaca at the END of his career & Iupati is literally in his PRIME.

Never in the history of the NFL has there been so many YOUNG stud FAs available. I certainly am not asking the Jets to go insane in free agency but like others have said, the Jets have enough money that they could easily sign Revis, McCourty, Hughes, and Iupati if they all agreed to come to the a Jets.

Obviously that won't happen but anyone who tells me that those signings wouldn't make the Jets instantly a better team for 2015 & going forward doesn't pay attention to the NFL.

It's would be like adding 4 pro bowlers to your team with Revis being the oldest.

Then you have the draft to fill in the holes that are left. This draft is loaded with WRs & RBs.

Most exciting free agency EVER. Jets will be a much better team before the draft arrives. The most important thing is how well can Mac & Bowles sell playing for the NY Jets. I think Bowles has some nice cred running through the NFL.

Should be interesting.

[Jetsfan80]

Baseball:       different sport.

 

NFL in 1994: different rules.

 

The rules have also changed for the NFL.  Teams MUST spend 89 % of their cap within the next 2 years.  Therefore there will be a lot of teams out there forced to spend.  You don't think one of them will win a title if they spend wisely?

[AFJF]

I think this you can't buy a good team is BS!

If you look at the big spenders in free agency over the last 10 years you'll see that a lot of those big dollar signings were for guys that were on the other side of their careers, guys past their prime.

If you look at the ages of the free agents in 2015 it's insane! Even we got Fanaca at the END of his career & Iupati is literally in his PRIME.

Never in the history of the NFL has there been so many YOUNG stud FAs available. I certainly am not asking the Jets to go insane in free agency but like others have said, the Jets have enough money that they could easily sign Revis, McCourty, Hughes, and Iupati if they all agreed to come to the a Jets.

Obviously that won't happen but anyone who tells me that those signings wouldn't make the Jets instantly a better team for 2015 & going forward doesn't pay attention to the NFL.

It's would be like adding 4 pro bowlers to your team with Revis being the oldest.

Then you have the draft to fill in the holes that are left. This draft is loaded with WRs & RBs.

Most exciting free agency EVER. Jets will be a much better team before the draft arrives. The most important thing is how well can Mac & Bowles sell playing for the NY Jets. I think Bowles has some nice cred running through the NFL.

Should be interesting.

 

This is the key...ten teams with $30 million to spend and four teams with $50-$60 million to spend.  It's nice to think the Jets will get the guys they want, but if all things are equal and you can go to a team that won ten games like Philly vs. a four win team like the Jets...what would you do?

[HOZ THE JET]

This is the key...ten teams with $30 million to spend and four teams with $50-$60 million to spend.  It's nice to think the Jets will get the guys they want, but if all things are equal and you can go to a team that won ten games like Philly vs. a four win team like the Jets...what would you do?

I agree that's why in my last post I said I will be happy with half those guys, the thing is a 4 win team will have to over pay a little whether us Jets fans like it or not its a reality.

[AFJF]

I agree that's why in my last post I said I will be happy with half those guys, the thing is a 4 win team will have to over pay a little whether us Jets fans like it or not its a reality.

 

I guess the good news is that the Jets have enough money that they can overspend.  I expect them to, but I'm curious to see the numbers as guys start coming in.

[Warfish]

We have a ton of space, a ton of needs, and a mandatory requirement to spend a considerable amount of cash this season to meet the "cash floor".

The same can be said for a number of other teams.

The free agent market is not broad this year.

So yes, I would fully expect that the best FA players will be quite happy at how teams will fight to pay them the most.

[JetsFanInDenver]

The rules have also changed for the NFL.  Teams MUST spend 89 % of their cap within the next 2 years.  Therefore there will be a lot of teams out there forced to spend.  You don't think one of them will win a title if they spend wisely?

 

Operative word is wisely. Which does mean not end up overpaying.

[shuler82]

can't wait for all the 'we overpaid!' posts coming next week..  will be a nice change of pace from last season's 'sign somebody..anybody!' rants

[Beerfish]

Operative word is wisely. Which does mean not end up overpaying.

With the number of teams with large amounts of cash some of these guys are going to get stupid over valued contracts.  And if you do not give out stupid over valed deals some other team will.  Every team including the jets will be blasted by their fans for over spending or under spending.

[peekskill68]

It would seem to me if the draft is deep in WR and RB and iffy in secondary/QB you focus your FA money towards CB/Safety and good competition for Geno and you pass on Cobb/Spiller/Harvin and find that talent in the draft.  Also sitting at 6 you will have your choice of outside speed rushers to fill a specific need with a cost effective solution if you so choose.

[LouisvilleSlugger25]

No one won a championship by overpaying for multiple players.

 

No one says we should OVERpay, but last year we tried to be cheap and how'd that work out? Meanwhile, the Patriots (a team already winning the division every year) went out and paid big money for Darrell Revis. How'd that work for them?

[Pac]

Idzik's glacial pace would have cost us numerous FA's next week.  From what I remember reading he was inflexible in negotiations and not someone agents liked dealing with.  Not sure what will happen with Macc but I bet he'll at least answer the phone if/when Revis' agents call.

[Beerfish]

No one says we should OVERpay, but last year we tried to be cheap and how'd that work out? Meanwhile, the Patriots (a team already winning the division every year) went out and paid big money for Darrell Revis. How'd that work for them?

Well you will have to tell us what 'OVER pay' is.  We could have kept upping the anti for DRC until it became ridiculous, he was already over valued imo.

 

Also Revis was over paid. 

[#27TheDominator]

It would seem to me if the draft is deep in WR and RB and iffy in secondary/QB you focus your FA money towards CB/Safety and good competition for Geno and you pass on Cobb/Spiller/Harvin and find that talent in the draft.  Also sitting at 6 you will have your choice of outside speed rushers to fill a specific need with a cost effective solution if you so choose.

 

A ton of teams are looking for secondary help.  Are you willing to spend $20+M on Revis and McCourty?  Maxwell and McCourty?  Jackson and McCourty?  If you do, who is playing G? ILB?  WR2?  Even if you pass on the safety you are going to have to pay big for at least one CB.  I am betting Cro gets a fair raise this year.  Same for Flowers.

[JetsFanInDenver]

No one says we should OVERpay, but last year we tried to be cheap and how'd that work out? Meanwhile, the Patriots (a team already winning the division every year) went out and paid big money for Darrell Revis. How'd that work for them?

 

That's why i really really hate Pete Carroll. If only he had given the ball to Marshawn Lynch that Revis signing would be moot.

[JetsFanInDenver]

With the number of teams with large amounts of cash some of these guys are going to get stupid over valued contracts.  And if you do not give out stupid over valed deals some other team will.  Every team including the jets will be blasted by their fans for over spending or under spending.

 

I might be one of the few on this one and I don't mind admitting it, that not signing DRC last year for the contract that the Giants paid him was a smart move.

 

Not signing Cro on the other hand for that one year deal he got from the Cardinals made no sense whatsoever.

 

I know we have cap space and by rules we have to spend a majority of it BUT I would still not want the JETS to overpay players. They can still have quiet a few solid signings that will upgrade this team with players who fit the best in the system instead of chasing marquee FA's then overpaying them and then watching them not pan out.