Oct 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) rushes against Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (left) during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
When it was announced just a couple of days ago that the Jets had signed free agent defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, the move was met with a lukewarm response. A veteran player for what many likely assumed to be a couple of million dollars.
Yes, there are holes to be filled at defensive tackle for the Jets where Quinton Jefferson, Al Woods and Solomon Thomas are free agents. But Kinlaw, an immensely talented underachiever who has spent much of his career battling injuries came with a shocking price tag.
The Jets are reportedly shelling out just over $7 million with $6.9 guaranteed for the former first-round pick. Taken 14th overall in 2020, Kinlaw played a total of just 10 games over the course of the 2021-2022 seasons. In those 10 games, he logged a mere 12 tackles and zero sacks.
It’s possible the Jets view Javon Kinlaw as a player who only recently saw “the light come on”. After all, he did manage to pick up 3.5 sacks over the final six contests of 2023. That, after managing just 1.5 sacks in the 3 years prior.
But for a cash strapped team such as the Jets, that’s a huge chunk of their remaining cap space to spend on an oft-injured player with such little production.
Go figure.