The New York Jets face an ominous situation with rookie tight end Mason Taylor.
They received a positive update on Wednesday, July 16.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared on social media that the San Francisco 49ers have “reached” an agreement with second-round pick defensive tackle Alfred Collins on his rookie deal.
It is a four-year $10.3 million deal “that includes over $9 million guaranteed and now is expected to trigger multiple second-round signings,” Schefter said.
“Until now, 30 of the 32 second round picks remained without a deal. Collins will have 88 percent of his deal guaranteed, a huge jump over last year’s No. 43 overall pick,” Schefter revealed. “The next big domino in the second round has fallen.”
ESPN’s Rich Cimini responded to this news on X previously Twitter, “This should help the Jets-Mason Taylor negotiations. Taylor was drafted 42nd, one spot ahead of Collins.”
This Should Help Jets Lock Down Taylor Deal Ahead of Camp
Art Stapleton of North Jersey dot com said after the Collins-49ers deal, “the floor for [Taylor’s] guarantees is set.”
Collins was selected with the No. 43 overall pick in the second round of April’s draft. If he received 88% of his rookie contract guaranteed, the Jets at least have to match that for Taylor’s deal.
On May 8, the Houston Texans made NFL history by fully guaranteeing the salary of wide receiver Jayden Higgins. Higgins was taken with the No. 34 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft.
A day later, the Cleveland Browns were forced to match that fully guaranteed figure with linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who was taken one spot higher at pick No. 33 overall. It would have been easy for Schwesinger to make a stink about it, considering he went higher than Higgins.
“The Browns quickly gave linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the first pick in round two, a fully guaranteed deal. They had little choice, once the player taken immediately after him got a fully-guaranteed contract,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained.
Jets Rookies Set to Report in Days
On Saturday, July 19, the Jets rookies report. A few days later, on Tuesday, July 22, the veterans report.
If Taylor isn’t under contract, he can’t report or participate in practice. The Jets want Taylor to make an immediate impact. A good way of helping him do that is by getting his contract situation figured out as soon as possible, so he doesn’t have to miss any time.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said on social media that he doesn’t expect Taylor’s contract “situation to linger too long.”
Signing rookie TE Mason Taylor.
There’s been a holdup on pretty much every second round pick around the league since many are seeking fully guaranteed deals but I wouldn’t expect Taylor’s situation to linger too long.
Jets Receive Massive Good News With Mason Taylor Contract Update