Jets could cut ties with $1.3 million veteran free agent signing before taking a snap

Back in March, the New York Jets signed offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor to $1.3 million deal in order to give themselves a veteran option for the starting tackle spot across from last year's first-round pick, Olu Fashanu — but a lot has changed since then.

As was expected, the Jets drafted Missouri product and right tackle Armand Membou with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and that potentially pushes Okorafor out of a starting role, assuming Membou is ready to go.

While such a draft pick was expected, Okorafor might not be pleased with losing his starting opportunity. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox believes that could very well lead to New York cutting the veteran before he takes a single snap.

The New York Jets took a flier on offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor this offseason, even after he essentially walked away from the rival Patriots early in the 2024 season.

Okorafor did start 59 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers before landing in New England last year. However, he may never get a chance to start in New York after the Jets used their first-round pick on Armand Membou. If Okorafor is adamant about finding a starting role, he could find himself out of New York nearly a year after he forced his way out of New England.

It's hard to argue with this logic. Even though the Jets were widely expected to draft a tackle, Okorafor signed on with the hope of starting in New York and reviving his career, so he can't be too happy with how things have shaken out.

That said, it's not like teams are going to be knocking down the door to sign him as a starter if he becomes available. After all, he was dreadful last season and then quit on the New England Patriots after he was benched.

Okorafor would no doubt be a solid depth option for New York and a decent insurance policy for its young tackle, so it's worth keeping him around.

But, at this point, the rebuilding Jets might be better off ending this relationship before it becomes a potential problem in the locker room, something head coach Aaron Glenn can ill-afford as he looks to build a culture in New York.

We'll see how things play out over the coming months, but keep an eye on Okorafor as a potential cut candidate for the Jets.

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