Now that the New York Jets are trading for Brandon Marshall, the assumption is that the organization can no longer afford to keep Percy Harvin on the roster.
That's not necessarily the case.
"My understanding is (the acquisition of Marshall) does not directly affect Percy Harvin," NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday on NFL Network Now.
As Rapoport points out, Harvin is a unique hybrid receiver/running back, operating best in space or as a gadget player. He's not superfluous simply because the Jets also have Marshall and Eric Decker at wide receiver.
The sticking point is money.
The Jets are not going to pay Harvin's scheduled $10.5 million salary, per Rapoport. To this point, Harvin has not been amenable to a pay cut.
The Jets signed slot receiver Jeremy Kerley to a four-year, $16 million contract last October.
We can't imagine them paying all four of Marshall, Harvin, Decker and Kerley in 2015.
With the Super Bowl champions looming as a potential landing spot, Harvin has little incentive to stay with the Jets on a lesser salary.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast reacts to the LeSean McCoy-Kiko Alonso trade and what it means for the Eagles and Bills. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
