After GM Mike Maccagnan announced that Eric Decker's departure was imminent, the Jets have released the veteran receiver.
"We think very highly of Eric. Our focus right now is seeing our young players, how they do," said Maccagnan earlier this week. "We wish Eric, going forward, a lot of success."
Over the past couple of days, the Jets attempted to facilitate a trade involving Decker.
"You never know how this is going to unfold," Maccagnan said on Tuesday "Sometimes trades happen after word gets out. But again, from our standpoint, we want to make sure we are clear with Eric where we are headed and give him an opportunity."
Limited to three games last season, Decker was placed on injured reserve on October 12 before undergoing hip and shoulder surgeries. The 6'3", 214-pound Decker returned to the team's offseason program as a full participant.
"I want to thank Eric Decker for his contributions to the New York Jets over the past three seasons," said Jets CEO Woody Johnson. "While with us, he was a competitive, productive, and dependable receiver who represented the team well both on and off the field. On behalf of the organization, I wish him the best as he continues his career."
The savvy route runner who played his first four professional seasons with the Denver Broncs, Decker inked a free agent deal with Jets on March 13, 2014. His first two years were marked my production as Decker paced his new club with 74 receptions, 962 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions. Then in 2015, Decker had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 10 scoring grabs inside the red zone set a Jets' single-season record.
A third-round pick of the Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft, Decker is entering his eighth NFL season. The Minnesota product's career stats include 385 receptions, 5,253 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns.
Best Images of the WR in the Green & White
With Decker's release, the Jets have a roster with only four players over the age 30. The Green & White have 13 wideouts, a young group that includes Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson and a pair of draft picks in ArDarius Stewart (D3, Alabama) and Chad Hansen (D4, California).
"It's going to be a competitive roster. There are going to be a lot of opportunities for a lot of players on this roster and that will play itself out over time," Maccagnan said. "But again, we are doing things that we feel that are going to help this organization both short and long-term."
