New York Jets release several veterans, headlined by WR Quincy Enunwa

New York Jets
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 29: A general view of a New York Jets helmet before a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Jets beat the Bills 13 to 6. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

The New York Jets bid farewell to several veterans as they prepare for training camp, including the tenured receiver Quincy Enunwa.

In addition to the release of Quincy Enunwa, the New York Jets let several veterans go as they prepare for the process of training camp.

The Jets also announced the departures of running back Trenton Cannon, offensive lineman Ben Braden, and linebacker Wyatt Ray. C.J. Mosley was also placed on the team’s COVID-19 opt-out list after the linebacker’s announcement that he would skip the 2020 season over the weekend.

With the release of Enunwa, the Jets have no receivers leftover from Sam Darnold’s rookie season of 2018. Enunwa had inked a four-year, $36 million extension shortly before that season ended, but he suffered a neck injury in last season’s opener that kept him out for the remainder of the year. He was going to miss the entirety of the upcoming campaign as well, placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list in May. Enunwa’s 1,617 yards on 222 receptions are each good for fourth-best on the Jets since 2014. Since Enunwa’s release came after June 1, there are no cap savings or hits.

Cannon joined the Jets as a sixth-round draft pick (204th overall) in 2018 out of Division II Virginia State. He tallied 257 yards of offense over his rookie season, scoring one rushing touchdown. He appeared in four games in 2019 but was placed on injured reserve in November.

Braden will see his second tenure with the Jets end with a release. The Michigan alum joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent and spent parts of the next three seasons in their system. New York released him in September, after which he was added to the practice squad in Green Bay. Braden rejoined the Jets in November and partook in their season finale in December. He took part in three Jets games overall.

Ray had yet to partake in a regular-season NFL game. He ended his senior season (2018) at Boston College with nine sacks, good for fifth in the ACC. Ray had previously spent time on the Houston Texans’ practice squad.

With the release of Cannon, Braden, and Ray, the Jets save just over $2 million in 2020 cap space.

With these transactions, the Jets are down to 81 players on their roster. Three other players are on the COVID-19 reserve list (Bryce Hall, Ahmad Gooden, Skyheim Carter), but remain eligible to return. Training camp rosters are expected to include 80 players as the NFL prepares to navigate their season around the ongoing health crisis.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags