Jason La Canfora mentions that he would be “stunned” if Jets free agent DT Damon Harrison did not test the free agent market based on what he’s hearing from sources.
According to La Canfora, it would take a “major reversal” over the next week in order for the Jets to prevent him from becoming a free agent.
Jets HC Todd Bowles told reporters last Wednesday that they are optimistic about retaining both DE Muhammad Wilkerson and Harrison this offseason.
“We’re optimistic and we’re working through it, so hopefully something can come of it,” Bowles said of Wilkerson and Harrison, via NFL.com. “We know it’s a business at the same time and we have certain plans in place but our plans are to keep them.”
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan also confirmed that they’d like to have Harrison back next year.
“We like Mo and Damon and we want to find out a way to keep both of them,” Maccagnan said.
Reports from earlier in the day mentioned that the Jets will use their franchise tag on Wilkerson, which means it could be difficult for them to offer Harrison the kind of money it would take to prevent him from meeting with prospective teams.
Harrison, 27, wound up signing on with the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of William Penn back in 2012. Last year, he was brought back on a one-year restricted tender and is now in position to sign a big contract as an unrestricted free agent.
In 2015, Harrison appeared in all 16 games for the Jets and recorded 72 tackles, a half sack, and a forced fumble.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2016 Free Agents list
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