Jets Cut Tight End, Create Cap Space

The New York Jets are creating $5 million in salary cap space by releasing disappointing tight end C.J. Uzomah.

We are under a week before the start of free agency, and this is normally the time organizations look to cut certain veteran players to open up cap space. 

Those "cap casualties" are allowed to negotiate early in the process - an example of a franchise doing right by leaders in the locker room. For the New York Jets, the most recent cap casualty is one that doesn't come as much of a surprise. 

New York released tight end C.J. Uzomah after a disappointing two seasons with the franchise. The move, first reported by ESPN, saves the Jets over $5 million in cap space while eating over $3 million in dead cap. 

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In 2022, the former Bengal signed a three-year, $24 million deal in free agency with the Jets, but has caught just 29 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons. 

Making matters worse, Uzomah's 2023 season saw his role diminish significantly after ineffective play in the passing game and run-blocking role. He suffered an MCL injury in Week 13 and was placed on IR. 

Uzomah is just the second offensive player released by the Jets in recent weeks. Offensive guard Laken Tomlinson's release opened up over $8 million in space for the organization. Neither Tomlinson nor Uzomah will be the only casualties, either. 

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New York is set to have close to $27 million in space according to Spotrac with restructures to other players like linebacker C.J. Mosley, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers all in play to add even more. 

Uzomah and Tomlinson's release was expected at the very least, and now, the Jets will be able to use that money to stay aggressive going into free agency. 

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