Jets never planned to pay for a top free agent WR for one reason

The New York Jets came into the offseason with a mission to spend and upgrade the roster in a major way. Even though they might not be contenders, they had cap space, and with Aaron Glenn on the hot seat, spending was a must.

They added a ton of players, trading for Geno Smith, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and T'Vondre Sweat. They signed Dylan Parham, David Onyemata, Demario Davis, Kingsley Enagbare, Joseph Ossai, Nahshon Wright, Dane Belton, and Cade York.

But, after all of those additions, one clear need is left out: a wide receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson. There's a reason for that. According to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, the Jets had no plans to spend on a top free agent WR this offseason for one reason: money.

Jets were never going to pay for a top free agent WR

"The Jets, according to team sources, went into free agency not planning to invest at the position since that often leads to significant overpays," Rosenblatt writes.

Despite having a clear need at wide receiver opposite Wilson, and ahead of Adonai Mitchell, the Jets were never going to spend on a free agent wide receiver. The reason is simple: they didn't want to overpay, as is the case with most free agent WRs.

Alec Pierce got $114 million over four years with the Indianapolis Colts. Wan'Dale Robinson got $70 million over four years from the Tennessee Titans. The New England Patriots spent $68 million over four years on Romeo Doubs.

Those are very expensive contracts for wide receivers that aren't clear top options in the NFL. While Doubs, Pierce, and Robinson are skilled and would be nice additions to the Jets offense, their price tags were too high for the Jets.

Mike Evans signed with the San Francisco 49ers for $42 million over three years, and the Seattle Seahawks signed Rashid Shaheed for $51 million over three years. Those are slight overpays other than Evans, who the Jets had no chance to sign.

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A textbook example of a free agent overpay, without actually landing a top option, was the Las Vegas Raiders' signing of Jalen Nailor to a $35 million three-year deal. He's shown some promise, but it's still a bit rich for a WR who's not been a difference maker.

While the Jets need to find a new number two receiver, spending so much money on one in free agency was likely never in play for the Jets.

But that doesn't mean one of the remaining WRs available isn't on the table. Christian Kirk, Deebo Samuel, Marquise Brown, Jauan Jennings, or even a low-floor, high-ceiling veteran like Tyreek Hill or Stefon Diggs could be an option if his market is weak.

Regardless of what the Jets do, fans should not expect them to make a splash at the position this offseason with a big-money deal. A blockbuster trade for someone like Brian Thomas Jr. could be in play, but a free agent splash isn't.

This is an interesting philosophy for the Jets, but with how expensive some contracts were, the Jets might be proven right at the end of the day.

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