New York Jets Make Tough Roster Decisions: Seven Players Cut

The NFL’s roster cutdown deadline is breathing down every team’s neck, and the New York Jets just made some moves that will have fans scratching their heads faster than Justin Fields scrambling out of the pocket. On Sunday, “Gang Green” released Linebacker Jamin Davis and waived six other players in what can only be described as another chapter in the Jets’ eternal quest to figure out who actually belongs on this football team.

Jets Release Linebacker Jamin Davis

Let’s start with the most head-scratching move: releasing Davis. This guy was a first-round pick just four years ago (19th overall by Washington in 2021), and now he is getting his walking papers from a Jets defense that, let’s be honest, could use all the help it can get. Sure, he bounced around last season between Washington and Minnesota, but the dude still has talent.

Adrian Martinez Among Six Players Waived

The other significant casualty was Quarterback Adrian Martinez, who many thought had the inside track to be the backup. Martinez completed 58.8% of his passes during the preseason (30-of-51 for 352 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception), which honestly isn’t terrible for a guy competing for scraps.

New York is gambling on both Tyrod Taylor’s health and getting Martinez back to the practice squad. It’s a risky game of roster roulette that could backfire spectacularly if another team decides they like what they saw from the Kansas State product.

Complete List Of New York Jets’ Roster Cuts

The full damage from Sunday’s Jets roster 1st wave of cuts includes:

• Released: LB Jamin Davis
• Waived: QB Adrian Martinez, DE Michael Fletcher, T Liam Forandel, TE Zach Kuntz, DB Tanner McCalister, RB Lawrance Toafili

Some of these names might not ring bells for casual fans, but each represents someone’s NFL dream getting crushed on a Sunday afternoon. Michael Fletcher, a rookie defensive end from Appalachian State, managed just two tackles and a pass deflection in the preseason.

The most intriguing name might be Lawrance Toafili, who actually scored a touchdown in the New York Jets’ preseason loss to Philadelphia and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. Expect his name to be on the practice squads of multiple teams.

What This Means for the New York Jets

These moves tell us a few things about where the New York Jets see themselves heading into the season. First, they’re clearly confident in their linebacker depth if they’re willing to cut bait with a former first-rounder like Davis. Second, they believe Martinez will still be available if they need him later, which is either smart roster management or wishful thinking.

The reality is that every team faces these brutal decisions as the August 27 deadline approaches. But when you’re the Jets, a franchise that’s made an art form out of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, every decision gets extra scrutiny.

Looking Ahead To Final Cuts

With the Tuesday 4 p.m. ET deadline looming, expect more moves from the New York Jets and every other NFL team. The next 48 hours will be filled with phone calls that end careers and decisions that could haunt front offices for years to come. For the players who got let go, hopefully, they get another shot in the NFL.