Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Jets and WR Percy Harvin’s agent are expected to meet at some point in the near future, with the goal of working out a revised arrangement.
According to Florio, Harvin is expected to reject any offer that would require him to take less than his $10.5 million salary.
Florio mentions that the most Harvin would likely be willing to agree to would be converting majority of the salary to a signing bonus, which would create some immediate cap room for the Jets.
Interestingly enough, Florio mentions that the Chargers, Packers, and Patriots are all worth keeping an eye on in the event Harvin ends up being available. Florio adds that Harvin could accept a one-year deal to sign with a team that could give him an opportunity to win a title, and then seek a larger contract in 2016.
- Last night, Jason La Canfora mentions that he would be “shocked” to see Harvin agree to any reduction in salary to be back with the Jets next season.
- La Canfora added that he expects the Patriots to be among the interested teams in Harvin if he ends up being available.
As Rich Cimini pointed out previously, the Jets will need to make a decision regarding whether or not to keep Harvin by March 19.
Should the Jets elect to retain Harvin, they would have to send the Seahawks their 2015 fourth-round draft pick. However, releasing him would reduce the compensation to just a sixth-round selection.
This gives the Jets some additional time to decide on Harvin and gauge the free agent market. Plus, they can continue to talk to Harvin about possibly reworking his contract, in the event he has a change or heart.
It’s worth mentioning that the Jets could force Harvin miss the first week or so of free agency before deciding to release him.
The decision is still likely to come down to whether or not the Jets are comfortable parting with a fourth-round pick and paying Harvin a decent salary next year.
Cimini mentions that the Jets won’t be able to cut Harvin and then re-sign him to a new contract a few days later, as this would still require them send the Seahawks their fourth-round pick.
Harvin, 26, has another four years remaining on his six-year, $67 million contract that included $25.5 million guaranteed. However, Harvin’s contract includes no guarantees in the coming years, and the Jets wouldn’t incur any salary cap ramifications by releasing him.
Instead, the Jets would free up $10.5 million by releasing Harvin outright, according to OverTheCap.com.
In 2014, Harvin has caught 51 passes for 483 yards receiving while contributing another 202 yards on 33 carries (6.1 YPC) and two total touchdowns over the course of 13 games.
Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 34 receiver out of 110 qualifying players.
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It would be nice to see Percy actually perform at a level with any team that would justify his current pay….
No reason to release him even if he doesn’t restructure. Even with his $10.5 million cap hit this year the Jets are still $51 million under the cap. Keep him till you have to make a decision. If you’re priced out of the WR market in FA or you fail to get someone early you can just keep Harvin at his normal rate with still no guarantees passed 2015. The Jets have all the leverage in this situation.