The New York Jets are staring down a tough decision this offseason - one that could free up cap space but also create a hole in the middle of their defense.
Harrison Phillips, a full-time starter on the defensive line, may be the odd man out despite a solid 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old defensive tackle started all 17 games, logged 60 tackles, and earned a strong 76.1 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus - good enough to rank sixth among all qualifying interior defenders. That’s not the kind of production you typically look to part ways with, but in the NFL, money talks.
Right now, the Jets are projected to have around $74.3 million in cap space, per Over the Cap - more than enough to be active in free agency. But in a league where every dollar counts, especially for a team with multiple roster holes to address, freeing up an extra $7.5 million by releasing Phillips is a tempting option. None of that $7.5 million is guaranteed, making him one of the most straightforward cap-clearing moves available.
And that’s exactly why Phillips has been pegged as one of the team’s top cap casualty candidates heading into the offseason. He’s currently set to be the sixth-highest-paid player on the roster, which is steep for a run-stuffing tackle who doesn’t offer much in the pass rush department. The Jets have to weigh whether that kind of investment still makes sense - especially when they’re trying to build around a younger core and fill critical needs elsewhere.
What complicates the decision is the state of the Jets’ run defense. Even with Phillips anchoring the middle, New York ranked 29th against the run in 2025.
That’s a red flag. You can argue that Phillips did his job, but the unit as a whole didn’t get it done.
So the front office has to ask: if the run defense struggled with him, is it really going to fall off a cliff without him?
The Jets are expected to move on from quarterback Justin Fields, but that move would only save them about $1 million - barely a ripple in the cap pool. Outside of Phillips, there just aren’t many realistic cut candidates who would create meaningful space. That makes his situation stand out even more.
Of course, the Jets could look to the NFL Draft to plug the gap if they do move on from Phillips. But that’s easier said than done. With so many other pressing needs - including quarterback, offensive line, and wide receiver - burning a premium pick on a run-stopping defensive tackle might not be the most efficient use of resources.
Bottom line: Phillips is a quality player, but he might not fit the Jets’ timeline or financial strategy anymore. It’s a classic offseason conundrum - do you keep a reliable veteran who still has something left in the tank, or do you make the tough call to clear space and bet on a younger, cheaper option?
The Jets have money to spend, but if they want to maximize their flexibility in free agency and the draft, letting go of Phillips may be the move that opens the door to more impactful upgrades across the board.