NY Jets trade defensive end John Franklin-Myers to Broncos

In an effort to clear up cap space, the Jets traded defensive end John Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos

The New York Jets have traded one of their most productive defensive players in an effort to clear up cap space.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets are trading defensive end John Franklin-Myers to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection.

Another Jets-Broncos trade: Jets are sending DE John Franklin-Myers, who has started 50 games the past three seasons, to the Broncos in an exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick, per sources.

Within the past week, the Jets have traded Franklins-Myers and Zach Wilson to the Broncos. pic.twitter.com/sttoenIX1o

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 27, 2024

Franklin-Myers was counting $16.4 million on the Jets’ cap. In moving Franklin-Myers, the Jets cleared $7.3 million in cap space and his $13 million salary but will maintain a $9.1 million cap hit.

JFM was counting $16.4M on the cap. Something had to give. With the trade, they clear $7.3M in cap space and get stuck with a $9.1M cap hit. But they get his $13M salary (real money) off the books. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 27, 2024

ESPN’s Rich Cimini added that the Jets “gave DE John Franklin-Myers permission three weeks ago to speak to teams about a trade.” He also said that the deal with Denver almost got blown up yesterday, but “the Jets and Broncos agreed to the new compensation (a sixth-rounder in 2026).”

The #Jets gave DE John Franklin-Myers permission three weeks ago to speak to teams about a trade, per source. The Broncos showed interest. JFM agreed to a new, two-year deal with Denver (a pay cut from what he was due to make with the Jets, but still a chunk of guaranteed money).…

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) April 27, 2024

Losing Franklin-Myers is a big hit to the Jets’ defensive unit. He has been one of their most productive edge players, making plays in both the running and passing games. He can also move all around the defensive line, frequently rotating to the interior on third downs.

Without JFM, the Jets will likely ask some combination of Will McDonald, Micheal Clemons, and potentially another draft pick to fill the void. It will be a tall task for the Jets, as Franklin-Myers has been a mainstay on their defense since 2020.

In a perfect world, the Jets would be able to keep everyone. But their cap situation has left them in a tough spot, meaning that the team had to make the hard decision to move on from one of their best defensive players.

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