The next few weeks will provide the answers to several fascinating questions about the Jets and free agency.
At the top of that list: What do they do with Robby Anderson?
The 26-year-old is scheduled to hit free agency Wednesday. Other teams can begin negotiating with his agent on Monday. The Jets would like to bring Anderson back, but at the right price.
Anderson has made it clear he wants to test the market, as he should. Anderson has given several interviews on ESPN the past few days. He reiterated his desire to return to the Jets on “NFL Live” on Tuesday, but also acknowledged the business aspect of this decision.
“l think they definitely want me back,” Anderson said. “I truly do want to be back with the Jets. I love Sam [Darnold]. I love my teammates, Jamal [Adams] and all those guys. I feel like there’s unfinished business there that I’ve been trying to get done since I got there. I would hope to finish out the mission, all in all, but it’s a business.”
This could be a tricky decision for general manager Joe Douglas. His mission this offseason is to improve the offense around Darnold, his third-year quarterback. Would it be wise to let the Jets’ top receiver walk out the door?
On the other hand, Anderson likely is about to get overpaid. It happens every year in free agency. Anderson could be the top receiver available next week if the Cowboys and Bengals apply the franchise or transition tag to Amari Cooper and A.J. Green, respectively.
Robby AndersonPaul J. BereswillAnderson has not put up gaudy stats in his four years with the Jets. He has never had 1,000 receiving yards in a season. His best season was 2017, when he had 63 catches for 941 yards and seven touchdowns.
But Anderson has something that could seduce some team out there — speed. Anderson can fly and is the kind of over-the-top threat offensive coordinators love. Also, a close examination of his production with the Jets shows it has been hampered by poor quarterback play. Put Anderson in an offense with an All-Pro quarterback and his statistics likely would jump.
Anderson showed improvement in the second half of last season, catching more contested passes than he had in the past while showing more versatility.
Anderson laid out his goal for free agency in December, saying, “I think the goal is get the most money and the best situation.”
What kind of money Anderson can get is going to be interesting. Jason Fitzgerald, who runs the contract analysis web site Overthecap.com, believes Anderson will land a four-year deal worth about $13 million per season.
Fitzgerald said he thinks teams might not address receiver in free agency this season because of how strong the draft class is projected to be at the position. That could hurt Anderson.
“There are not a lot of receivers that are going to be available unless Cooper slips into free agency somehow,” Fitzgerald said. “I would guess Dallas would get something done before that happens.
“I think it’s also a heavy [draft] class for wide receivers, so I think some teams might shy away [from Anderson] and look at him as a one-trick pony. I’m not sure if the market will be super-robust.”
The Jets believe if the money is equal, Anderson would like to return. But what if someone blows Anderson away with a big contract?
There have been some eye-popping deals given to receivers in recent years. The Chiefs signed Sammy Watkins to a three-year, $48 million contract in 2018, a crazy number for a player who had not been overly productive as a pro. Could someone give Anderson a deal like that? If so, that surely would end Anderson’s time with the Jets.
One comparison many make for Anderson is Tyrell Williams, who signed a four-year, $44.4 million contract with the Raiders last year. That is a more palatable deal for the Jets, who likely would even go a little higher than that.
At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, some people in the NFL said they didn’t believe Anderson would get a major deal because he is viewed as one-dimensional. Others said they think some team will fall in love with his speed and pay him big bucks.
The Jets now must wait and see what kind of market develops for Anderson and whether it is too rich for them.



