Things are getting ugly between the Jets and their safety in contract negotiations. Sound familiar?

A year after a contract standoff with Jamal Adams led to his trade to the Seahawks, the Jets are under fire from the agent for Marcus Maye, who is scheduled to hit free agency on March 17.

General manager Joe Douglas said in January that re-signing Maye is a priority, but it has not happened, and now free agency is getting close. Many people around the league believe the Jets will use the franchise tag on Maye by Tuesday’s deadline. That would pay him around $11 million for 2021, but would not give him long-term security.

Erik Burkhardt, Maye’s agent, took to Twitter on Tuesday night to express his displeasure. Burkhardt responded to a tweet from ESPN reporter Field Yates about the Jets possibly having $80 million in cap space and five first-round picks over the next three drafts, which should allow them to chase any player they choose by free agency or a trade.

Burkhardt replied: “… Yet refuse to take care of their best player, Captain, & team-voted MVP in his prime who had several All-Pro votes … and who played out his entire rookie deal and even changed positions on his contract year (after they got rid of last year’s All-Pro safety).”

Burkhardt punctuated his tweet with a peace sign emoji.

Maye is the top free agent the Jets have. It is unknown what he is seeking to be paid or what the team is offering.

In a Zoom call with reporters on Wednesday, Douglas said the team still hopes to get a long-term deal done with Maye.

“In terms of Marcus, we have had productive conversations with his representatives,” Douglas said. “Our stance on Marcus hasn’t changed. Marcus is a valuable member of this organization, someone who started his career here, who’s been a pro’s pro, smart, he’s been reliable and he’s provided outstanding leadership. Our plan hasn’t changed. We are in the process of working to have Marcus be here long-term.”

Douglas did not seem bothered by Burkhardt’s tweet.

“I was made aware of some of those comments. I have a lot of respect for Erik,” Douglas said. “I think he’s a great person. I’ve had a lot of great conversations with him and you guys know how I feel about Marcus. Look, this is part of the business. This is part of negotiating. I don’t see this affecting our ability to get something done with Marcus that’s beneficial for both him and the team.”

As Burkhardt referenced, Maye was the Jets’ MVP in 2020. He had a strong year bouncing between strong safety and his normal position of free safety. Maye had two interceptions, 11 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two sacks.

Maye also emerged as a leader and showed that after the team’s brutal loss to the Raiders in December. Maye placed the blame on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for calling an all-out blitz that allowed Derek Carr to connect with Henry Ruggs III for the game-winning touchdown. Williams was fired the next day, and Maye was praised by people in the organization for standing up for undrafted rookie cornerback Lamar Jackson, who was beaten by Ruggs on the play.

If the Jets do place the franchise tag on Maye, which seems like the most likely outcome, the two sides have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract or Maye would play this season on the tag. The Jets drafted Maye in the second round of the 2017 draft, pairing him with Adams, their first-round pick. Now, Maye finds himself in a situation similar to the one Adams was in last year, with the Jets not giving him the contract he desires.