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Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan held a media availability today on the first day of the 2018 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Here are some of the highlights of his media session.
On The Quarterback Question
First question to Maccagnan: “How much are you paying Cousins?” He smiled and laughed, but didn’t answer.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) February 28, 2018
The legend @McClain_on_NFL just asked Mike Maccagnan how much he’ll pay Kirk Cousins. The Jets GM wouldn’t say because Cousins is a FA.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 28, 2018
Mike Maccagnan about QBs: “We’re not solely focused on QB but it is a position of interest for us.” Adds that #NYJ are “excited” about free agency, assuming QBs get there. Also is “excited” to see QBs at #NFLCombine.
— Kimberly Jones (@KimJonesSports) February 28, 2018
No shock here. Even beyond the fact Cousins isn’t yet a free agent, it isn’t like Maccagnan is going to lay out his free agency strategy for the rest of the league. We all know the Jets are going after Cousins, but we don’t know how far they are willing to go, or what their fallback plans are.
On Muhammad Wilkerson’s Release
GM Mike Maccagnan explains why the #Jets cut Mo Wilkerson today. pic.twitter.com/3faMzzh3eo
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) February 28, 2018
#Jets GM Mike Maccagnan on Wilkerson: The way we originally structured the contract gave us a two-year window.
— Eric Allen (@eallenjets) February 28, 2018
It is true that the contract offered a two year window, but that is true of virtually every big free agent contract in the NFL. A $9 million dead money hit is enormous and a sign this contract was a catastrophe.
On Recent Player Arrests
Maccagnan said he's had "frank" discussions with both WR Robby Anderson and LB Dylan Donahue, who have each had run-ins with the law in the offseason.
— Ethan B. Greenberg (@EthanBGreenberg) February 28, 2018
Mac said the team doesn't take it lightly, but it's a legal matter as of now.
Again, this one is fairly obvious. Despite a few calls for the Jets to make moves with these players, the process has to play itself out for both guys.
On Free Agency
Mike Maccagnan anticipates the Jets being “very active in free agency” and says that the amount of cap space they have is exciting.
— Adam Stites (@AdamStites_) February 28, 2018
Last week, the team’s official website was describing the Jets’ upcoming free agency approach as “long-term” and “prudent.” We’ll see the definitions soon enough.
On the Draft
Maccagnan: “Ideally you want to build through the draft because it’s the cheapest form of labor.”
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 28, 2018
Maccagnan: “Ideally you want to build through the draft because it’s the cheapest form of labor.”
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 28, 2018
Maccagnan never offers much of substance at these press conference, but occasionally he will offer an interesting nugget of information that provides a look into his approach to team-building. That was not the case today.
Why exactly do these general managers speak at the Combine again?