The New York Jets just handed out a record-breaking extension but not to the player you were thinking of.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero shared on social media that cornerback Michael Carter II “agreed to terms on a 3-year $30.75m extension, up to $33m, with slightly over $19m in total guarantees. Carter is now the highest-paid slot corner in the NFL.”
Jets Hinted at a Big Move on the Horizon
Field Yates of ESPN dropped a breadcrumb on social media on Tuesday, September 3.
“The Jets restructured the contracts of LB Quincy Williams and TE Tyler Conklin, creating $8M in cap space,” Yates revealed.
When news of the Jets creating cap space seemingly came out of nowhere fans speculated on social media that it was a sign that Haason Reddick was going to be paid.
However, the Jets decided to pay one of their own former draft picks instead.
Carter was entering the final year of his $3.8 million rookie contract in 2024.
The Buffalo Bills made Taron Johnson the highest-paid nickel corner in the NFL back in March. He agreed to a three-year deal for $31 million, per ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg.
Carter edged him with this new deal ever so slightly in average per year and in total guarantees.
Johnson received $17.82 million guaranteed while Carter earned $19 million in guaranteed money.
Social Media Set Ablaze After Carter-Jets Extension
NFL Insider Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team said, “One of the best nickels in the league gets rewarded.” The Jets must agree with that sentiment because Carter now holds the crown as the highest-paid slot corner in the NFL.
NBC Sports analyst Connor Rogers said, “Michael Carter is possibly the most underrated member of a very good Jets defense. Hard to find coverage in the slot as reliable as him, smart to get that extension done now.”
Fans thought initially that Reddick was the one who was set to get paid. It ended up being Carter.
However, Jets reporter Nick Faria of the Pro Football Network and Athlon Sports still thinks this could be good news for Reddick.
“Another important reason why Michael Carter’s extension is a great sign for the Jets? That extension won’t hit until after this year. Meaning the money restructured from Conklin and Williams’ deals are for this year specifically. Could a Reddick extension be on the way,” Faria openly asked.
ESPN radio host Jake Asman said, “Extending Michael Carter is a great sign they learned from the Bryce Huff situation. Carter is phenomenal and it’s only going to be more expensive if they waited until after this season.”
The Jets found a hidden gem in Huff just as they did with Carter but instead of paying him early, the team let it play out. Ultimately that cost them in the end as Huff left in free agency this offseason. New York refused to let that happen to them in back-to-back offseasons by locking Carter down long-term.
“Wow, Jets locked up Michael Carter before he hits free agency next year – not something they’ve done a lot over the years. Well deserved for one of the NFL’s best nickel corners,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said.
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