In May, Jets general manager Joe Douglas said signing safety Marcus Maye to a long-term deal was “a priority.”
With the franchise tag extension deadline expiring July 15, that seems to be more of a dream than reality.
Maye’s camp, per NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, have taken their final offer off of the table after the Jets apparently failed to respond to their last contract proposal. Maye appears headed toward playing the 2021 season on a one-year deal.
The versatile safety is scheduled to make $10.61 million on the franchise tender this season.
According to Rappaport, the Jets’ initial offer had an APY that was 20 percent lower than the tag amount. The 28-year-old was reportedly offered significantly larger contracts in terms of guarantees and APY by other teams before being franchise tagged.
A second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Maye is a player the Jets can not afford to lose. Last season, he started in all 16 games while racking up two interceptions, 11 pass deflections, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and 88 tackles. If the Jets can not sign him to a long-term deal, then they will eventually lose their leader for an especially young defense.
They also can not afford to lose their stud safety after shipping away superstar Jamal Adams to Seattle last season.