Breaking news: The NY Jets release another veteran player, even as they try to rebuild their offense while keeping…
Most likely, this was Zuerlein’s last game for the Jets.
The New York Jets can’t overlook the third phase of football, special teams, even as they try to rebuild their offense while keeping their outstanding defense.
Naturally, this includes the kicker position, which frequently determines whether a team wins or loses on any given Sunday. Having spent the previous three seasons in New York, Greg Zuerlein has been a dependable kicker for more than ten years. He played well in 2022, excelled in 2023, and persevered through injuries in a disappointing 2024 season.
According to ESPN’s Jets insider Rich Cimini on his “Flight Deck” podcast, that is likely where Zuerlein’s Jets stint will finish.
This offseason, the NY Jets are probably going to let go of Greg Zuerlein.
Although it’s not official yet, Cimini stated that he anticipates Zuerlein leaving within the next month and a half.
“I believe that after June 1st, they will most likely cut him. Why didn’t they just give him a June 1 cut already, you ask? Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Mosley were given that designation, which is limited to two before June 1. They would save $11 million on this year’s cap instead of $6.6 million if they did that with Lazard. They could then stretch it over two years. Now, you actually have to wait until June 1 to make a person a June 1 cut. Another option for June 1st, in my opinion, is Greg Zuerlein, a kicker.
Considering that Zuerlein only played in eight games last season due to a knee injury, this would make a lot of sense. His field goal percentage was only 60% overall, and he only made one of five tries from 40 yards or more throughout those eight games.
In January, the Jets also inked Anders Carlson to a futures contract. In Week 10 of the previous season, he joined the club from San Francisco and made 8 of 10 field goals, including 4 of 6 from 40 yards or more. He showed promise, and training camp should provide further insight into his future prospects.
Michael Badgley, a former kicker for the Detroit Lions, was also just brought in for a session. We’ll see whether he has a shot to enter the Jets’ kicker battle because of his connections to Aaron Glenn.
At least the Jets have alternatives, even though neither choice is perfect. They have little reason to depend on Zuerlein if they think he is deteriorating or incapable of maintaining his health. After all, even during his time on the field the previous season, he wasn’t very efficient.
Zuerlein had a respectable stint with the Jets, which was capped off by his 2023 campaign in which he made five of six field goals from beyond fifty yards and exceeded a 90% field goal percentage on 38 tries.
However, he didn’t do well in 2024, and it’s looking more and more probable that he won’t be a Jet in 2025. In such scenario, we have an additional position to closely monitor throughout the offseason.
