The Jets never intended to see Marcus Maye play for anyone else this season and took a strong step on Monday to keep Maye on board by putting the franchise tag on their talented safety, The Post confirmed.
The tag, valued at approximately $ 11 million for the 2021 season, will keep Maye from the open market in NFL free agency when it kicks off March 15, as the Jets continue to try to secure a long-term deal for their 2017 second round. picking. They have until July 15 to get something done, otherwise Maye will be playing on the one-year tag.
He won’t want to do that. Maye, 28, wants a multi-year commitment. His agent, Erik Burkhardt, took to Twitter last week complaining that the Jets have so much money to spend under the salary ceiling – possibly as much as $ 80 million – “but refuse to take care of their best player.”
The tag for Maye is no surprise. General manager Joe Douglas said last week that Maye is’ a valuable member of this organization ‘and commends him for being’ a pro, smart, reliable and has delivered excellent leadership. Our plan has not changed. We are working to ensure that Marcus stays here for the long term. ”
After the relationship broke down with star security Jamal Adams last season, causing Adams to be shipped to the Seahawks, the Jets were unable to part with Maye.
It was a career year for Maye in 2020. He had 82 combined tackles, 11 defended passes, two forced fumbles, two sacks, two interceptions and one fumble. These were all career highlights, and he played in all 16 games for the third time in his four years with the Jets.
The Jets went 2-14, but Maye insisted late in the season that he wanted to stay close for the rebuild.
“I’ve just been here for four years, get into Day 1, I loved this place,” said Maye. “I enjoyed the people here, the teammates. Although there have been many changes over the years, I have always been the same person. I’ve always come to work excited and ready to try and win a game for the Jets. “
Maye will continue to emerge as a protagonist in the defense of new head coach Robert Saleh.