Jets 2021 NFL odds: New York keeps leading receiver Jamison Crowder with reworked contract ahead of minicamp
The Jets open their mandatory minicamp Tuesday, and wideout Jamison Crowder will be there after getting a new deal.
Jets receiver Jamison Crowder isn't a Pro Bowler, but he's a very solid player, leading Gang Green with 59 catches for 699 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games last year. Those numbers don't scream superstar, granted, but also keep in mind that the guys throwing Crowder passes were named Sam Darnold and Joe Flacco. New York didn't want to pay Crowder the $10 million he was due this season, though, and might have released him if the sides hadn't agreed on a renegotiated deal Monday.
Crowder had skipped voluntary offseason team activities as his agent and Jets GM Joe Douglas worked on a new deal. The team had a lot of leverage because it signed Corey Davis and Keelan Cole in free agency and drafted Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore in Round 2 – he's +5000 to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year at William Hill Sportsbook. Moore reportedly has looked terrific so far and he plays the slot; Crowder saw 70 percent of his team-high 89 targets from the slot in 2020.
Douglas was not with the Jets when Crowder signed his three-year, $28.5 million contract and cutting him would have left New York with only $1 million in dead money.
The Jets start their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and Crowder now should be there. He will also be a free agent after this season still at a young age of 28 and potentially in line for a nice deal on the open market. The terms are not yet known but Crowder certainly will be taking a pay cut that will significantly lower his $11.4 million salary-cap charge. The Jets reportedly wanted Crowder to reduce his $10 million salary by more than 50 percent.
Because Crowder wasn't at OTAs, he hasn't had a chance yet to work with rookie No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson (+750 for Rookie of the Year), who is a lock to start Week 1 at Carolina, which is a 4-point favorite on the NFL odds and of course is led by Darnold now.
In a bit of a surprise, the Jets still have not found a veteran backup for Wilson to also serve as a mentor – second-year James Morgan, who didn't take a snap as a fourth-round rookie in 2020, is the current No. 2. There has been some talk the Jets could trade for Bears backup Nick Foles.
New York is a +2000 long shot to win the AFC East and has a win total of 6.0, with both options at -110. To finish with the worst record in the NFL, the Jets are +800 third favorites behind Houston (+250) and Detroit (+350).
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