Jets Tag Marcus Maye

The Jets are not surprisingly going to apply the franchise tag to star safety Marcus Maye according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The value of the tag will depend on the salary cap limit this year but we are currently estimating it to be worth $10.496 million on a $180.5 million cap. It will rise slightly if the cap comes in higher than that number.

A player can still shop themselves in free agency once tagged but the cost to sign him is two first round draft picks, a cost so high teams rarely even entertain the tagged player as a real free agent. Once signed the tag is fully guaranteed for the year. The Jets and Maye will have until July 15th to work out a long term agreement in lieu of the tag.

Maye, a 2nd round pick of the Jets, excelled last season following the departure of Jamal Adams. Maye established himself as the leader of the defense and arguably their top defensive player.

Jets GM Joe Douglas hinted that there were positive conversations with Maye on a new contract, though Maye’s agent clearly disagreed with that.

This is an important negotiation for the Jets, who do not have the best reputation over the last two years of being honest and straightforward with their players. There are of course two sides to every story but changing the perception would probably be a good thing for the team now that they have a fresh start with a new head coach this season.