New York Giants legend and CBS Sports activities NFL analyst Tiki Barber defined on Thursday’s version of the WFAN “Evan and Tiki” program why the New York Jets needs to be all-in on attempting to commerce for Minnesota Vikings star broad receiver Justin Jefferson forward of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“They want expertise,” Barber mentioned in regards to the Jets, as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. “They want somebody alongside (broad receiver) Garrett Wilson, and so they have a brief window to do it due to (quarterback) Aaron Rodgers. Take into consideration the urgency of the Jets proper now, from the pinnacle coach, the coordinator, (common supervisor) Joe Douglas. There’s a ‘we have to win proper now.'”
Former Jets quarterback and present NFL analyst Boomer Esiason nonetheless has ties to the group and steered earlier within the week that crew proprietor Woody Johnson may half methods with Douglas, Rodgers and head coach Robert Saleh subsequent winter if the membership does not no less than finish the longest lively playoff drought among the many 4 main North American sports activities leagues. As for Wilson, whispers have hovered over the Jets all through the offseason hinting that he may desire a contemporary begin elsewhere if he endures one other shedding marketing campaign with the franchise.
Jefferson, in the meantime, is probably a yr away from free company and needs to “break the financial institution” with a contract extension that can doubtless make him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback for a time period. Vikings common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell insisted whereas talking with media members on the NFL scouting mix that Jefferson will not be traded earlier than the 2024 season, however it’s thought the crew’s stance may change if quarterback Kirk Cousins indicators with a special membership in free company.
“I do know there are a number of evident points, together with alongside the offensive line,” Barber added in regards to the Jets. “However when you’ve got the chance to go get considered one of, if not the, finest free brokers soon-to-be accessible in the marketplace, you go and get Justin Jefferson.”
The league’s latest salary-cap explosion coupled with the truth that Rodgers, 40, will not be on the books for an excessive amount of longer are causes to consider the Jets may make Jefferson greater than a one-year rental. Whatever the membership’s future, touchdown Rodgers final spring turned the Jets right into a win-now group that completely should contemplate sacrificing its future to amass a game-changing expertise equivalent to Jefferson.
