The New York Jets have made a corresponding roster move.
After a flurry of trades on Wednesday, August 20, the Jets have created a roster spot.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed on social media that the team has cut ties with veteran defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis.
Mathis, 27, originally entered the NFL as the No. 47 overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Shuffling of the Deck on the Jets’ Defensive Line
Shortly after the Jets fired general manager Joe Douglas, they announced that longtime front office executive Phil Savage would serve as the interim GM.
There wasn’t a lot left to do in late November past the trade deadline in another losing season. However, Savage combed the waiver wire to find talent. One of the names he came across was Mathis.
A former top-50 pick of the Washington Commanders who was immensely talented but struggled to stay on the field due to injuries.
The 6-foot-4, 312-pound big man had made some plays throughout camp, but evidently not enough to secure his roster spot.
Mathis was heading into his fourth professional season. Across his career, he has appeared in 23 games and has totaled 25 tackles, one quarterback hit, and two tackles for loss.
Jets Bring in Some Beef to the Defensive Tackle Room Ahead of the Season
Depth at defensive tackle has been a major question mark for the Jets all offseason. Days before their preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, they finally addressed it.
The first trade that came through was the deal between the Jets and the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland received a 2026 sixth-round pick, and the Jets got defensive lineman Jowon Briggs and a 2026 seventh-round pick.
Hours later, the Jets made another splash by executing a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. This time for a bigger-name player.
Minnesota received a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for veteran nose tackle Harrison Phillips and a 2027 seventh-rounder.
Phillips projects to be the new starter next to Quinnen Williams in 2025. Over the last three years with the Vikings, the big man has started 51 consecutive games.
Insider Warned Moves Were Coming After Trades
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed that four players were now “on the bubble” following the Jets‘ pair of trades.
That list included: Derrick Nnadi, Leonard Taylor III, Phidarian Mathis (has since been cut), and undrafted free agent out of Clemson, Payton Page.
Should be safe Quinnen Williams Harrison Phillips Byron Cowart (injured, so an IR candidate potentially) Jay Tufele Jowon Briggs
On the bubble Derrick Nnadi Leonard Taylor III Phidarian Mathis Payton Page
Out of
Rosenblatt said on social media that he will be interested in seeing how many defensive tackles the Jets‘ new regime of Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn decides to keep.
Jets Cut Former High Draft Pick Hours After Flurry of Trades