The New York Jets, flush with talent on the defensive line and eager to purge as much salary off the books as possible this spring, are putting Sheldon Richardson on the trade block.
According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, New York will “certainly” try to move Richardson the next few weeks.
“The spotlight will be on Richardson for the next few weeks, as the Jets almost certainly will try to trade him,” Cimini wrote. “They can deal him now and get something in return or lose him next year for nothing (unless you count a compensatory pick in 2019). The Jets will ask for a first-round pick for Richardson, but they will have to settle for less, perhaps a third-rounder.”
The Jets have over $31 million devoted to Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Richardson, whose $8 million salary from his fifth-year option becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the new league year, March 9.
It’s been known for over a year that the Jets would love to move Richardson. Unfortunately he comes with some baggage in the form of multiple suspensions due to off-field behavior (more on that here). Because of this — he’d essentially be a one-year rental to see if he remains out of trouble — it seems unlikely the Jets will be able to move Richardson for a price his on-field performance indicates he’s potentially worth.