The offensive weapon that the Jets targeted but missed out on in free agency

[NYJets8]

“Jet” nearly became a Jet during a wild and intense bid for the most coveted offensive player on One Jets Drive not named Kirk Cousins.

Gang Green's pursuit of Cousins dominated the headlines, but the team’s affinity for Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon flew under the radar last week. The Jets engaged in a full-court press to sign the underrated player, according to sources, before the 49ers landed him. McKinnon, 25, drew significant interest, but it ultimately came down to 49ers and Jets. (The Buccaneers were in the mix as well.)

The Jets believed that they had made strong enough offers to land McKinnon, but there was a sense from both sides that Kyle Shanahan simply wouldn't be denied, according to sources. In the end, San Francisco doled out a four-year, $30 million deal that included $12 million guaranteed for 2018. Only three running backs (Le'Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman and LeSean McCoy) have a larger annual average than McKinnon's $7.5 million.

On the surface, it was surprising that McKinnon, nicknamed "Jet," would command such a hefty price tag, but Shanahan saw something special in McKinnon, who was an option quarterback for a few years in college, that made him the driving force to secure the multi-dimensional player.

The Jets saw the same qualities, which isn't entirely surprising given that Gang Green's new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates and run-game coordinator Rick Dennison are disciples of Mike Shanahan.

 

The Jets also had a level of interest in new 49ers center Weston Richburg, who signed a five-year, $47.5 million deal, but knew that he’d likely be out of their price range. Gang Green ultimately signed Washington center Spencer Long. 

Jets GM Mike Maccagnan (left) and head coach Todd Bowles could've used a player aptly nicknamed 'Jet' this season.IMAGE BY: RICH SCHULTZ/GETTY IMAGES

McKinnon's career stats in four seasons with Minnesota might not jump off the page (4.0 yards per carry and 12 offensive touchdowns), but he offers a varied skill set that will perfectly fit for Shanahan, who was looking to replicate his Atlanta blueprint (Freeman and Tevin Coleman).

The same would have applied for the Jets, who desperately needed an O.W. (offensive weapon).

 

McKinnon, frankly, would have been that weapon for Bates & Co. if they could have gotten him. He's a matchup nightmare if deployed properly.

Alas, Kyle Shanahan was bent on not getting beat in the bidding, according to sources.

The Jets' offers were strong, but no promises were made that they would get him. They simply figured that it would be hard for another team to pay more. Then other teams jumped into the bidding.

Jerick McKinnon.IMAGE BY: ADAM BETTCHER/GETTY IMAGES

The Niners, also sitting on a mountain of salary cap space, poured in $12 million in guarantees in the first year of the deal. No money beyond this season was guaranteed at signing. It could wind up being a one-year, $12 million pact, but San Francisco is banking on McKinnon being a difference maker.

My understanding is that if the Jets had signed McKinnon, it would not have precluded them from signing Isaiah Crowell, too. A McKinnon-Crowell backfield tandem would have prompted the Jets to cut Bilal Powell, who is scheduled count $4. 9 million ($4 million base salary in the final year of his contract) against the 2018 salary cap.

The Jets lost two second-round picks in their deal with the Colts over the weekend, so it's unlikely that Gang Green will find their O.W. in this draft. Powell's roster spot appears safer, but nothing is guaranteed.

Shanahan plans on moving McKinnon around all over the field. He would have been a terrific addition as a runner, pass catcher and pass blocker for Gang Green, too.

He could have been that offensive weapon that the Jets desperately need.

MANISH MEHTA MAR 19, 2018 10:02 AM

 

 

[Untouchable]

Manish is a dumbass

McKinnon is an underrated player, but no way in hell should the Jets have attempted to beat the contract that San Fran gave him.

[SenorGato]

Both those guys suck, McKinnon's a first contact twig. The article should be about Le'veon Bell. In hindsight I should have been off the Cousins wagon as soon as Bell got tagged. 

[bealeb319]

McKinnon was never good. At least the guy we got had a good game of two in his career

Sent from my [device_name] using http://JetNation.com mobile app

[varjet]

It is interesting that the Jets are the second and losing bidders on players that fit the Shanahan system.  At least they are consistent.  The 49ers have more cap space, and a QB.  I would take Lynch/Shanahan over MacBowles any day of the week. 

[jetstream23]

If we paid $30M over 4 years for a RB that several on this board have probably never heard of, there would be riots at Florham Park.

[Joe W. Namath]

Not signing McKinnon is addition by subtraction.

I really wanted Ronald Jones 2 in this draft but he will be gone by the time we pick in the 3rd.  

We can find a better rb then McKinnon at the top of the 3rd round this year.

[UnitedWhofans]

Some people might try and spin this into acting as a sign that they will take Barkley but if the article is right that both Crowll and McKinnon were on the radar, then there was no room for him

[pdxgreen]

I love whenever the press use of for target practice.  It's never "They found their guy" or "A smart move by the Jets."  It's just more click bait to point out how we _____ed up.

[jetstream23]

2 minutes ago, pdxgreen said:

I love whenever the press use of for target practice.  It's never "They found their guy" or "A smart move by the Jets."  It's just more click bait to point out how we _____ed up.

I agree.  But in this case it looks like a decent decision by the Jets to bow out of a bidding war.  Could you imagine finding out that SF had a $30M/4 year offer to McKinnon and that the Jets were working to beat it?  Oh lordy.  This article might actually show that Macc came to his senses.

Crowell for $12M  >  McKinnon for $30M

[#27TheDominator]

I remember reading that RB is the one place where the bench means something.  McKinnon was tops in 2014 with 32 reps.  This year, Barkley and Chubb both had 29.  Of course, last year Perrine lead with 30, so...

18 minutes ago, UnitedWhofans said:

Some people might try and spin this into acting as a sign that they will take Barkley but if the article is right that both Crowll and McKinnon were on the radar, then there was no room for him

We wouldn't take a back because we might have gotten Crowell and McKinnon, but we are going to take a QB despite signing Bridgewater and paying McCown 8 figures?

[UnitedWhofans]

Just now, #27TheDominator said:

I remember reading that RB is the one place where the bench means something.  McKinnon was tops in 2014 with 32 reps.  This year, Barkley and Chubb both had 29.  Of course, last year Perrine lead with 30, so...

We wouldn't take a back because we might have gotten Crowell and McKinnon, but we are going to take a QB despite signing Bridgewater and paying McCown 8 figures?

Not when the guaranteed money is only 5.5 m

[pdxgreen]

1 minute ago, jetstream23 said:

I agree.  But in this case it looks like a decent decision by the Jets to bow out of a bidding war.  Could you imagine finding out that SF had a $30M/4 year offer to McKinnon and that the Jets were working to beat it?  Oh lordy.  This article might actually show that Macc came to his senses.

Crowell for $12M  >  McKinnon for $30M

I agree.  The McKinnon contract is nuts.

[Thai Jet]

4 hours ago, Untouchable said:

Manish is a dumbass

McKinnon is an underrated player, but no way in hell should the Jets have attempted to beat the contract that San Fran gave him.

Totally agree. I like Crowell but McKinnon would have been my 1st choice because of his pass catching ability. No way I give him that contract however.  Lynch trying to replace Carlos I guess. Crazy $$.