Jets Restructure Ryan Clady’s Contract

Field Yates reports the Jets have reworked the contract of left tackle Ryan Clady.

Clady, who started eight games for the team in 2016, was scheduled to have a $2.5 million roster bonus due in mid-February, which would have put the clock on team management to decide whether or not to move on from the former All-Pro lineman, who was previously due a $7.5 million base salary for 2017, none of which was guaranteed.

Under the new terms, Clady is no longer due a roster bonus, with that $2.5 million instead being folded into his base salary, bringing that total to $10 million for 2017, with an additional $1 million available in incentives. None of that money is guaranteed until Week 1 of the regular season, at which point base salaries for all vested veterans become guaranteed.

This buys the Jets some time to seek a better replacement. Moving the deadline back for a decision from February builds the Jets some degree of flexibility.

With that said, Clady on a deal anywhere near resembling $10 million should be a nonstarter. He has played 27 games in the last four years. The Jets should be actively looking for a better answer at the position. If Clady comes back, it shouldn’t be for more than a quarter of that current deal.