The New York Jets acquired Haason Reddick for a 2026 conditional third-round, but that trade may have inadvertently cost them John Franklin-Myers. While he wasn’t technically a homegrown talent, he is one of New York’s best stories in quite some time. Originally selected by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, the S.F. Austin product didn’t make the roster in 2019. The Jets claimed him off waivers, and the rest is history.
After missing the entire 2019 season due to injury, Franklin-Myers quickly became a featured part of the Jets defensive line rotation. Earning a full-time starting job in 2021, the edge defender’s skill against both the run and pass earned him a four-year, $55 million deal. However, a recent report by ESPN’s Rich Cimini states that the team could trade John Franklin-Myers due to his high cap hit and the presence of Haason Reddick.
Haason Reddick Trade Could Force Out John Franklin-Myers
John Franklin-Myers is a good player, but it’s easy to see why the Jets are willing to trade him. With Haaosn Reddick, Jermaine Johnson, and 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald all on the depth chart, there are only so many reps to go around. The NFL is a numbers game at the end of the day, and Franklin-Myers’ combination of age and cost makes him the least valuable of the four rushers.
The timing of a John Franklin-Myers trade will be important to monitor. On the one hand, the Jets are all-in on the final years of Aaron Rodgers, so they could trade the veteran for a 2024 NFL Draft pick that could contribute this year. On the other hand, if the team waits until after June 1st to move him, then they can save $13.9 million in cap space. If they trade him before that date, they’ll only save $7.3 million.
No matter when the trade is done, some teams should be willing to trade for John Franklin-Myers. While he’s not a superstar by any stretch of the imagination, he’s a three-down starter at one of the game’s most important positions, and that carries plenty of value.
Possible Destinations
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders finally found a pass-rushing partner for Maxx Crosby in defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. These two will be a solid duo, but they won’t be enough to stop the Kansas City Chiefs. Adding John Franklin-Myers via trade will give the Raiders three legitimate weapons on the defensive line, and one extra sack a game could be all it takes to get this team into the playoffs.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears will have a new quarterback next year and a good shot at the playoffs. However, if they want to maximize Caleb Williams’ rookie window, they must improve the pass rush. Montez Sweat played well for the team down the stretch, but they can solidify the unit with a John Franklin-Myers trade.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens lost just about everyone there was to lose in free agency. While the team retained star defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, just about everyone else departed for greener pastures. The Ravens have a gift for getting the most out of veteran pass rushers, and John Franklin-Myers could be their great addition via a low-risk trade.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints made a medium-risk, high-reward gamble with the Chase Young contract. While Young could work out, this team should consider a John Franklin-Myers trade to lower the overall risk. Dennis Allen will not survive another season without a playoff birth, so he’ll probably be willing to trade one of his many Day 3 picks for a proven commodity.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers already signed Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum to replace Brian Burns, but they could still use more help. Even when Burns was on the roster, this team needed another edge defender. If they trade for John Franklin-Myers, the Panthers will have three solid players capable of taking down the quarterback on any given snap. That kind of depth is good to have in today’s pass-heavy NFL, especially when you don’t have an elite offense.
