Jeff Cumberland Released by Jets

Rich Cimini announced that the Jets have moved on from tight end Jeff Cumberland.

The Jets have released TE Jeff Cumberland, per league source. It saves $1.9 million. https://t.co/p1Y1ivFFq1

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 9, 2016

The release was a smart move by the team, as it saves them $1.9M in cap space, and Cumberland was hardly used last season due to OC Chan Gailey's offensive packages. In addition, the Jets utilized their tight ends in more scenarios as blockers. The whole position group combined for only eight catches on the entire 2015 season.

With Cumberland's release, the team is left with Jace Amaro and restricted free agent Zach Sudfeld, as Kellen Davis is a pending free agent. Therefore, especially after already losing Snacks, the Jets could have more money to work with in finding a solid tight end, a move that hasn't been done since the signing of Dustin Keller in 2012. One possible name that was thrown around initially was Martellus Bennett, yet a deal was unlikely because of the Jets' limited cap space. Although, now that the team doesn't have to spend the money on Damon Harrison, Bennett could be an option.

The timing of this clearing of cap space coincides with the signing of Matt Forte.