Jets Dump Fan-Favorite WR Less Than 24 Hours After Making Roster

The New York Jets decided to change course.

Wide receiver Jason Brownlee initially made the 53-man roster on Tuesday, August 27. However the green and white went in a different direction less than 24 hours later.

Gang Green confirmed the news in a press release posted to social media on Wednesday, August 28.

The Jets claimed former Chicago Bears tight end Brenden Bates off of waivers.

By doing that, Bates joined the Jets’ 53-man roster so the team had to make a corresponding move to open up a roster spot and Brownlee was the casualty.

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Brownlee originally joined the Jets last offseason as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss.

Despite humble beginnings, Brownlee was a star character in “Hard Knocks” and he ended up making the team’s 53-man roster in 2023.

The talented pass catcher has always shown flashes. Last year during training camp one of his highlight reel receptions went viral after Adam Schefter of ESPN posted it on social media.

There were a few more of those this offseason as well, but there were far too many inconsistencies.

“He had an up-and-down summer, mixing in flashes of intriguing skills and athleticism with bouts of drops and invisibility. He played in 100 snaps in the preseason but still only managed five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. It’s unclear what his role will be, but the Jets still clearly value his potential,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote earlier in the day on Wednesday, August 28.

After the Brownlee news went public, Rosenblatt responded by saying, “Wouldn’t be shocked if Jason Brownlee was claimed by another team.”

Brownlee, 25, will now be subject to the waiver wire system. The other 31 teams in the NFL will have a chance to claim him. If they do, he will be added to that team’s 53-man roster. If he goes unclaimed, Brownlee will then be free to evaluate his options.

One of those choices will likely be returning to the green and white on their practice squad. It’ll be up to Brownlee if he wants to return or choose to go somewhere else to start fresh.

The Jets Make a Move at the Tight End Position

When the Jets announced the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, August 27 they only had two tight ends on the team.

Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert made the team, but they surprisingly placed Kenny Yeboah on injured reserve. He will miss at least the first four games of the season if not more.

You had to figure that another move was coming with the position so thin.

That move was claiming Bates off of waivers from the Bears.

Bates entered the NFL this offseason as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky. He joined the Bears and made some noise this offseason.

Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor revealed on social media that Bates “ranked 2nd among TE with 100 receiving yards this preseason.”

The Pro Football Focus Jets X previously Twitter account said Bates was “The highest graded rookie TE in the preseason [with a] 85.8.”

Despite some of the intriguing pass-catching metrics, Bates has a history as a blocking tight end.

“Lining up primarily inline, he was a run-blocking tight end for the Wildcats’ offense (just six targets in 2023), but he caught the ball well when he had the chance. Bates is a good-looking athlete, with the core strength to pop defenders on lead blocks. He plays with an edge in the run game, although better control is needed,” Dane Brugler of The Athletic said in “The Beast” via Rosenblatt. “Despite seeing few targets, he has the body control for smooth adjustments and strong hands to finish. Overall, Bates is a better pass catcher than his production would indicate, and he has the size/speed tools to develop into a complementary Y tight end.”

Bates is listed at 6-foot-4 and tips the scales at 246 pounds according to the Jets press release.

Before joining the NFL, Bates played six years in college all at Kentucky. During that period, Bates racked up 26 receptions for 272 receiving yards with two touchdowns.