John Franklin-Myers emerged as a standout success story during Joe Douglas’s tenure with the Jets, transitioning from a waiver claim in 2019 to a key regular contributor on the team’s defensive line. However, the acquisition of a more high-profile pass rusher resulted in Franklin-Myers being displaced from the team’s roster for the 2024 season.
The Jets’ acquisition of Haason Reddick prompted them to explore new options for Franklin-Myers. Despite having signed a lucrative four-year, $55 million extension early in the 2021 season and proving his worth as a consistent starter over the past three years, Franklin-Myers was traded to the Broncos primarily due to salary considerations. The trade saw the Jets receive only a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft in return.
Expressing admiration for Franklin-Myers as he departed, Douglas confirmed that the trade was solely motivated by contract concerns. At 27 years old, Franklin-Myers carried the third-highest cap hit ($16.4 million) on the Jets’ payroll. However, the Broncos renegotiated his contract, putting him on a more manageable two-year deal worth $15 million, with $7.9 million fully guaranteed for the 2024 season.
Despite the Jets’ attempt to negotiate a reduced salary to retain Franklin-Myers, he found the Broncos’ offer far more appealing. The Jets’ proposal fell significantly short of what he was offered by Denver. Franklin-Myers will now count $5 million against the Broncos’ salary cap for the upcoming season, with the team having the option to save $7 million by releasing him in 2025 if necessary.
Franklin-Myers’ consistent performance over the past few seasons, including 11 sacks and 48 quarterback hits, earned him a starting role in Denver’s 3-4 defensive scheme alongside Zach Allen and D.J. Jones. In this setup, he is expected to feature both as an inside rusher in sub-packages alongside Allen and as a complement to Jones, who specializes more in stopping the run.
Meanwhile, the acquisition of Reddick presents the Jets with a high-ceiling option on their defensive line, joining the likes of Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald under the leadership of Quinnen Williams. Reddick’s arrival effectively replaces Bryce Huff, though the Jets have yet to reach an extension agreement with him. Currently playing on a three-year, $45 million deal inherited from the Eagles, Reddick’s contract expires after the 2024 season, prompting speculation about potential contract negotiations between him and the Jets during the offseason.
