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We have talked quite a bit over the last few weeks about the Jets’ personnel issues on defense, contributing a great deal to the team’s 0-5 start.
There were a lot of dubious decisions on that side of the ball that have contributed to the Jets’ current defensive quandary. They really need to do a self-scout on their defensive scouting process from last off-season and training camp. Something clearly needs to be tweaked. Rick Spielman can help with this.
One of those head-scratching decisions was the contract they gave Jamien Sherwood. This wasn’t a contract they inherited from the previous regime.
Look, before I continue, on a human level, it’s awesome that Sherwood, a terrific young man and diligent worker, got a three-year deal for $45 million with $30 million guaranteed.
That life-changing wealth is a blessing for Sherwood and his family in Jenson Beach, FL. He didn’t give himself the contract, so nobody should begrudge him the money he got.
But this wasn’t a contract like Quinnen Williams’ deal they inherited that you can’t do a lot about – the new regime made this decision and signed this check.
People will be quick to point out that Sherwood was the Team MVP last year.
Well, was that because he had a great season or because the team was terrible and there weren’t a lot of great candidates for that award?
Look, I’m not saying he played badly last year, but Team MVP material?
People will also be quick to point out that he led the team with 158 tackles.
I’m starting to think that the season tackle total stat is a little overrated.
He had 158 tackles on a bad defense, so how much did those tackles really impact winning and losing?
And also keep in mind, the Jets’ defensive line struggled last season, so a lot of runners were getting past the D-Line and to the second level.
So let’s say Sherwood was making a lot of tackles after 5, 6, 7-yard gains. On most plays, somebody is going to make a tackle, but the most important thing, especially against the run, is limiting the runs to, let’s say, 1-to-3-yard gains.
So if a linebacker is making a bunch of tackles after nice gains by running backs, not sure how impactful that is.
Also, Sherwood was not impactful in coverage last year. He finished the season with three PDs and no picks. Keep in mind, this is a former college safety, so you would think moving to linebacker, those safety cover skills would make him a difference-maker against the pass. It hasn’t so far.
How could the new brass look at that film and give out that contract?
Sherwood, to me, looks like a key backup LB/core special teams player. Kind of reminds me of Neville Hewitt.
Aaron Glenn was asked about Sherwood on Wednesday. The question didn’t reference the player struggling. Not at all. It was just a generic question about how the linebacker is playing.
“I think he’s played well,” Glenn said. “Obviously, there’s a lot that he can do better at.”
Not sure you can say any player on this defense is playing “well.”
And if a player is truly playing well, do you need to add the caveat – “Obviously, there’s a lot that he can do better at.”
Probably not.
Glenn thinks the player might be pressing because he was named a captain and got a big contract.
Not sure if that is the problem.
I don’t see a big difference with this player from last year to this year. He’s averaging about 10 tackles a game this season, and has no picks and one PD, which wasn’t even in coverage – he blocked a pass at the line against Miami while blitzing.
Once again, it’s fantastic for Sherwood and his family that he got that big deal.
Don’t get me wrong, I would have re-signed him, but 3 years, $45 million with $30 million guaranteed? How about something like Quincy Williams got, 3 years, $18 million with $9 million guaranteed?
His agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey did a hell of a job getting the linebacker that kind of coin.
October 9, 2025
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