FLORHAM PARK, NJ – In a cost-saving move, the New York Jets on Tuesday released veteran defensive end Henry Anderson, who has started 24 games for them over the past three seasons.
By cutting Anderson, which carried a capital cost of $ 9.5 million, the Jets will save $ 8.2 million – the amount of its non-guaranteed base salary. The remaining $ 1.3 million will remain a ‘dead’ cost.
It offers the Jets more than $ 75 million in space as they prepare for free agency.
Anderson, 29, was a key player in their defensive line. In 2019 and ’20, he played more snaps (942) than any Jets lineman except Quinnen Williams. The Jets can absorb the loss because the defensive line is one of the few areas where their depth is solid.
The Jets made a smart trade to acquire Anderson during the 2018 draft and send a seventh-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts. He thrived in New York and in the last year of his rookie contract recorded a career high of seven pockets.
Anderson put his big year into a $ 25.2 million three-year contract with $ 17 million guarantees over the first two years. Since the contract, his pocket production has dropped dramatically – only 1.5 in the last 29 games. He played every game in 2020 and finished with 42 total.
Anderson, according to NFL NextGen Stats, recorded the third highest percentage among defensive players with at least 500 snaps.