Posted December 31, 2017 at 04:10 PM | Updated December 31, 2017 at 04:10 PM
By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Now that the Jets have retained coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan — and extended their contracts through 2020 — what is next for this team? The Jets are now officially into the offseason, after finishing their 2017 season with a 26-6 loss Sunday at the Patriots.
NY Jets GM Mike Maccagnan pre-draft press conference
AP Photo
As we look ahead, let's examine the biggest decisions facing this organization (and specifically Maccagnan) as the Jets navigate an important offseason and continue their rebuilding process. Scroll down to check out the biggest decisions ahead for the Jets in this offseason.
MO WILKERSON'S RELEASE
Not really a huge decision, because Wilkerson is a goner for sure. He locked that up by stinking on the field and showing up late to meetings. What a dud of a contract. The Jets gave him $37 million for two years of underwhelming play and behavior. When the Jets cut Wilkerson — which will be a significant move, despite its obvious nature — they will create $11 million in salary cap space, with $9 million in dead money attached.
HOW TO USE ALL THAT CAP SPACE
Between the cap space the Jets already have, the space they'll carry over from 2017, and the space they'll create by releasing guys like Wilkerson, they are looking at having about $90 million in cap room next offseason. Now, it's up to Maccagnan to spend wisely. Giving cornerback Darrelle Revis $39 million for two mostly underwhelming seasons (and giving $37 million to Wilkerson) are not exactly high points of Maccagnan's tenure. Will this make Maccagnan hesitant to give out another big-ticket contract in 2018? It shouldn't. But fans will understandably be skeptical of any big-ticket signing he makes.
TRADE UP IN DRAFT?
How badly do the Jets want a quarterback like Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, or Josh Allen? Are they willing to surrender picks in order to trade up, if they have to do that? Or would the Jets go for a slightly lower-tier guy like Baker Mayfield at their original draft position? Maccagnan likes to stockpile picks — it's important for any rebuilding organization — so it would be surprising if he trades away a ton of picks in order to move up. But if the Jets just have to go up a few slots to get the quarterback they want, it could be worth the move.