Braxton Berrios is 27 years old. The New York Jets have questions to address in the off-season, re-signing Berrios shouldn’t be one of them. Bring him back!
When asked on Wednesday about the future of Berrios with the Jets, head coach Robert Saleh made it clear how feels about the upcoming free agent.
“We love Braxton,” Saleh told reporters before practice. “I’ve always sat up here and said as a coaching staff, it’s our job to make Joe Douglas’ job as hard as possible when it comes to re-signing people. Everyone knows how we feel about Braxton. We want him here.”
Now that the head coach has confirmed his love for Berrios, it’s up to the general manager to make sure the message has been received.
With Berrios, much like the ball, the numbers don’t lie.
Since Week 12, Pro Football Focus has Berrios with the fourth highest grade (87.3) among wide receivers. He’s the only receiver on the depth chart to play in all 16 games this season.
Berrios has 46 catches for 431 receiving yards and four total touchdowns.
The Jets have improved offensively since rookie quarterback Zach Wilson returned from injury. Berrios has been the team’s swiss-army knife.
“He does a lot of things. First, obviously, the slot,” Saleh said about Berrios, earlier this season. “Second, he is our punt returner and kick returner, so he’s got tremendous teams value for (Special Teams Coordinator) Brant Boyer. But in the slot, just that veteran presence to know where he is, and helping the other receivers get lined up, he’s helping the quarterback out of the huddle, he’s helping everybody.”
Berrios has indeed emerged as a playmaker on this team, especially in the red zone for Wilson and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. On a team peppered with youth, Berrios brings a calming presence to the huddle.
When it comes to the future, Berrios appears to be on the same page with Saleh, he wants to stay. Meanwhile, he’s focused on the present, and for the Jets, that’s finishing up the regular season this Sunday at Buffalo.
“I’ve said it before, I love the organization here,” Berrios told reporters. “The coaching staff, the people in the locker room, the chefs, the trainers through and through. So, obviously, that is on the table. I would love to be here. Again, that’s something for January 10th and moving on.”
Finally, the Jets are still a rebuilding team with an emphasis on acquiring top talent, developing their youth, and building strong team culture. Berrios has potential to become a key player in this team’s future. It would be disappointing to the fan base if Berrios walks in free agency.
The Jets must make sure that doesn’t happen.
