Getty New York Jets fans celebrating after a huge play during an NFL game.
It might be time for the New York Jets to open up the checkbooks.
For an NFL team to have consistent success they need star players and incredible depth pieces that can make game-changing plays. On Sunday Gang Green may have found out who that player is at the end of the game.
Emergence of Jets DL Bryce Huff
With 1:36 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Buffalo Bills were down 20-17 and were making a last-ditch effort to tie the game or win it before time expired.
On second and two from their own 33-yard line, Josh Allen dropped back to pass and was met by Jets defensive lineman Bryce Huff.
The former Memphis product came screaming around the edge and sacked Allen knocking the ball loose in the process.
Bryce Huff has some elite bend and burst man, such a good pass rusher
Buffalo recovered the fumble but the situation completely changed into a third and 21. Ultimately the Bills turned it over on downs and the Jets secured its biggest win of the season.
Huff, in limited opportunities, has proven to be a secret sauce to the Jets’ success. So much so that after this breakout performance, fans have called on the team to hand him a contract extension.
EXTEND BRYCE HUFF
Some fans don’t want to wait for another second saying, “give him an extension immediately.”
I LOVE BRYCE HUFF. GIVE HIM AN EXTENSION IMMEDIATELY. #Jets
Connor Rogers and Trevor Sikkema had a hilarious back-and-forth talking about his impact when he comes into the game in the fourth quarter:
MUST LISTEN!
@ConnorJRogers Bryce Huff rant! Probably the best thing #Jets fans could watch today!
“Who the hell are you?” 🤣💪📈🔥 #StockUp @PFF_NFLSE @TampaBayTre
Bryce Huff Contract, Jets Future Explained
Huff originally joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent back in 2020.
He signed a three-year deal for $2.3 million, had a $15,000 bonus, and only $90,000 in total guarantees. Huff is set to be a restricted-free agent in 2023.
What that means is the Jets will be able to bring him back on a cheap deal for next season and/or another NFL team could surrender draft compensation by signing him to an offer sheet.
However Gang Green could choose to be proactive, which is what the fans have suggested, by signing him to a long-term deal right now.
It’s crazy to think what Huff has been able to accomplish despite playing a limited number of snaps. He was a healthy scratch for the first three weeks of the season. In the six games he has played, Huff hasn’t played more than 21 snaps in any of those contests.
Despite that, the former Memphis product has been elite with a 90.7 overall grade and an 88.8 pass-rush grade per PFF.
The Jets have used him as a “closer” like in baseball. Gang Green is a team that likes to employ a heavy rotation and they have had the luxury of using Huff in that position as fresh legs coming off of the bench.
He waits around on the bench, then when the fourth quarter hits, they plug and play him on key third downs. That strategy has worked wonders this season and has consistently shell-shocked opposing offensive linemen.
You’d think with even more reps he could be even more special, but because of the depth, they haven’t had to use him any more than they’ve needed.