The New York Jets announced Sunday that they have waived six players ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster due date.
“The Jets have released veteran LB Jamin Davis and waived six players: QB Adrian Martinez, DE Michael Fletcher, T Liam Forandel, TE Zach Kuntz, DB Tanner McCalister and RB Lawrance Toafili,” the team’s senior reporter Eric Allen confirms.
This marks the first domino to fall in the Jets quarterback room. The hotly debated QB3 race is relevant considering that 36-year-old gunslinger, Tyrod Taylor, is just one month removed from a arthroscopic knee surgery.
Adrian Martinez was considered a favorite to get the nod over rookie quarterback Brady Cook.
“A first-year passer from Kansas State, Martinez (6-2, 220) completed 58.8% of his throws (30-of-51) for 352 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs over three summer games,” Allen recaps. “Last July, Martinez signed with the Jets and threw for 270 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception while completing 53.2% of his passes in preseason play. He signed a reserve/futures deal with the Green & White in January.”
Cook remains on roster for now, with almost exactly 48 hours until the 4 PM Tuesday deadline.
Zack Kuntz Waived
Tight end Zack Kuntz was also on the other side of this roster slash. The six-foot-eight pass catcher won Jets fans over on draft night with his sheer potential.
His ability never quite developed to what the Jets hoped for when they used a 2023 seventh-round pick on him.
He was the first man on the outside looking in at an above average Jets tight end room. Stone Smartt, Jeremy Ruckert, and Mason Taylor have likely solidified their spots on this roster.
A sigh of relief for Ruckert, who many analysts speculated the team was beginning to move on from.
“Ruckert worked with the starters for the summer, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they sought a trade partner,” insider Rich Cimin wrote. “Ruckert was underwhelming this summer, and his roster spot isn’t secure.”
“It was a little surprising to see fourth-year tight end Jeremy Ruckert playing in the game,” New York Post’s Brian Costello wrote. “Ruckert has been viewed as the second tight end but this calls into question whether his roster spot is as firm as believed.”
Surprise Cut and 4 Other Moves
The biggest surprise of the bunch, aside from Martinez, is the Jets parting ways with former first round daft pick Jamin Davis. Davis was seen as a favorite to make this roster as a second level defender.
Rookie defensive end Michael Fletcher and rookie running back Lawrance Toafili had their work cut out for them as they were drafted into the team’s two best rooms.
Tanner McCalister came to New York by way of the Denver Broncos practice squad. Although he did not make the active roster, expect McCalister to return to the team in a reserve role should he clear waivers. He is an NFL caliber player.
The final move waived tackle Liam Forandel. Forandel had a UFL career as well as stints on an NFL practice squad in his past.
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