Report: Jets Want Jamison Crowder to Take 50% Pay Cut

Rich Cimini reports the Jets are looking for wide receiver Jamison Crowder to take a substantial paycut to stay with the team.

Crowder’s future is uncertain. The Jets want him back, according to coach Robert Saleh, but they’re trying to get him to take at least a 50% pay cut on his $10 million salary (non-guaranteed). He skipped the voluntary OTAs because of the contract squabble. This week’s minicamp is mandatory. Saleh said he expects Crowder to attend, but he didn’t sound certain.

Crowder has become a popular figure in the fanbase after leading the Jets in receptions in both seasons he has spent with the team. However, part of that production has undeniably come because a lack of talent at receiver funneled excess targets his way.

The slot receiver’s current cap number for 2021 is $11.375 million. I don’t think there’s really any context where that is good value for a chain moving slot receiver. If you have a situation like the 2020 Jets where Breshad Perriman is a starter for your team, it might be an overpay you live with. Given the depth the Jets have at receiver, that just seems like too much money.

The additions of Corey Davis and Elijah Moore seem likely to relegate Crowder to role player status. The paycut the team is seeking seems more in line with the production the Jets can expect.

Ultimately Crowder would be a nice player to keep, but I tend to agree with the team’s position that he only makes sense at a much lower price in the current context.