Micheal Clemons and the Jets: A Likely Split on the Horizon
As the New York Jets prepare for a pivotal offseason, the front office will be faced with a number of key decisions regarding their pending free agents. While names like Breece Hall and Alijah Vera-Tucker are expected to spark plenty of internal debate, one situation feels far more cut-and-dry: defensive lineman Micheal Clemons.
Clemons, who’s set to hit free agency for the first time in his career, wrapped up a 2025 season where he played a significant rotational role on the Jets’ defensive front. Though he made only six starts-down from starting all 17 games in 2024-he still logged a career-high 55% of the team’s defensive snaps. That usage rate speaks to how heavily the Jets leaned on him, even if the results were mixed.
Over the past two seasons, Clemons has become something of a lightning rod among Jets fans. His on-field impact hasn’t always matched the volume of his snaps, and with his rookie deal now expiring, there’s a growing sense that the Jets may be ready to move on. And frankly, that wouldn’t be a surprising outcome.
But here’s where things get interesting: Clemons might have more of a market than many would expect.
Let’s be clear-Clemons isn’t a game-wrecker off the edge. He doesn’t have the twitch or explosiveness to consistently threaten quarterbacks, and he can get exposed when asked to contain more athletic offensive tackles in space.
His pass-rush ceiling is limited, and setting the edge has been a challenge at times. But that doesn’t mean he’s without value.
When used in a more limited role, Clemons has shown he can be a serviceable depth piece. His rookie season offered glimpses of what he can bring as a physical run defender and occasional power rusher. He’s not a player you want on the field for over half your defensive snaps, but in the right system-and with the right rotation-he can provide reliable minutes.
And despite some frustrating moments, including a few untimely penalties, there’s something to be said for a defensive end who’s logged over 1,200 snaps across the last two seasons. That kind of experience matters, especially in a league where dependable depth on the defensive line is always in demand.
Clemons isn’t going to command top-tier money-no one’s confusing him with a Javon Kinlaw-type free agent-but a mid-level deal in the ballpark of three years and $15 million wouldn’t be out of the question. That’s the kind of contract teams hand out to rotational linemen with starting experience and physical upside, even if the production hasn’t fully matched the reps.
Still, from the Jets’ perspective, this feels like a natural point of separation. With ample cap space and draft capital to work with, New York is in a strong position to upgrade its defensive end group. Whether through free agency or the draft, there are options out there who can bring more juice off the edge and better complement the core of the defense.
That doesn’t mean Clemons won’t find a home elsewhere. A reunion with a former coach in Tennessee or Atlanta wouldn’t be surprising, especially for a team looking to bolster its depth with a familiar face. But in terms of his future in green and white, the writing feels pretty clear: Micheal Clemons’ time with the Jets is likely coming to an end.