The Jets began trimming their roster on Tuesday when they released defensive lineman Henry Anderson.
The move released $ 8.2 million in salary cap for the Jets, bringing their estimated total to $ 76.1 million, the second highest in the NFL according to Over The Cap. The Jets are in a position to be big spenders when free agency officially opens on March 17th.
Cutting Anderson was not a move the Jets had to make to free up space. They already had enough. But Anderson’s production did not match his salary. Anderson would make $ 8.2 million in 2021 with a $ 9.5 million salary cap. Anderson only had half a bag in 2020 and only had one bag in 2019.
Switching from Anderson was an easy call for general manager Joe Douglas, as the 29-year-old ran out of guaranteed money on his contract. The move was expected out of season.
The bigger question is whether Douglas will continue to chop the roster to free up more cap space. There are no other decisions that would be as easy as cutting Anderson. The Jets were able to unlock $ 10.3 million by releasing wide receiver Jamison Crowder, but he was their main receiver in each of the past two seasons. Douglas could also make some moves in the offensive line – where tackle George Fant ($ 7.8 million in savings), guard Alex Lewis ($ 5.1 million) and guard Greg Van Roten ($ 3.4 million) are all possible are victims.
Former GM Mike Maccagnan acquired Anderson during the 2018 draft and traded a sixth round for the Colts for the 6-foot-6 defensive lineman. Anderson immediately paid dividends and came up with seven sacks in 2018, even for the team high. The Jets awarded him in March 2019 with a $ 25.2 million three-year deal (with $ 17 million guaranteed).
But Anderson struggled to make an impact for the past two seasons. A shoulder injury slowed him in 2019, and in 2020, while playing well against the run, he was a non-factor as a pass rusher. He started eight games last season and played in all sixteen. In three seasons, he started 24 of the 45 games he played for the Jets.
In addition to the $ 8.2 million in savings over the salary cap, the release of Anderson leaves behind $ 1.3 million in dead money.