Two key questions remain after Jets cut down roster, trade for Raiders lineman

The Jets cut their initial roster to 52 players Sunday, leaving one open spot.

That spot should be filled Monday, when a trade the Jets agreed to on Sunday is finalized. Jets general manager Darren Mougey agreed to a deal to acquire backup center/guard Jordan Meredith from the Raiders, addressing a glaring weakness on the team. The Jets sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Raiders in exchange for Meredith and a 2029 seventh-round pick.

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The Jets needed a backup for center Josh Myers and guards Joe Tippmann and Dylan Parham. The backups on the interior offensive line have struggled throughout camp. The Jets cut Xavier Newman, who had been the backup center.

There were no real surprises among the cuts. They cut quarterback Brady Cook, who started four games for the team last year, but it was clear that was coming. Cook had been the fourth quarterback all camp. Defensive end Nate Lynn, who had three sacks in two preseason games, was also waived. Defensive end Braiden McGregor made the initial roster, which was a mild surprise. The team also kept four tight ends, with Jelani Woods making the team, and fullback Andrew Beck.

Rookies VJ Payne and Anez Cooper were placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning they could return as soon as Week 5.

The Jets have to hope the addition of Meredith gives them a viable center if Myers is injured. Meredith started 11 games for the Raiders last season. Las Vegas had one of the worst offensive lines in football, allowing a league-high 64 sacks. The Jets now have two pieces of that offensive line. They signed Dylan Parham to be their starting left guard in the offseason.

Meredith, 28, will be reunited with quarterback Geno Smith with the Jets. Smith was the Raiders quarterback last year. Meredith is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to make $3.5 million.

Meredith went undrafted out of Western Kentucky before signing with the Rams in 2021. He was released by the Rams before the season started and then hooked on with the Raiders in 2022. He played in 45 games with 20 starts for them.

Teams will be awarded waiver claims Monday afternoon. The Jets are second in the waiver order, so they should have their pick of players.

The two big question marks with the Jets now are kicker and backup quarterback. Jason Sanders beat Cade York out in training camp for the Jets kicking spot, but he has hardly inspired confidence. Sanders missed an extra point and a field goal in Friday’s preseason finale against the Giants. Sanders is on the initial roster, but his spot is tenuous.

Blake Grupe emerged as a potential target for the Jets after losing the Colts’ kicking battle to Spencer Shrader. Another possibility is Charlie Smyth, who was cut by the Saints on Sunday after losing their competition to Daniel Carlson.

The other big question is backup quarterback. Rookie Cade Klubnik has been the No. 2 quarterback throughout training camp and the preseason, but he has not made a convincing argument that he should enter the season as Smith’s primary backup. Many teams kept four quarterbacks on Sunday, eliminating many of the potential targets the Jets could have had. The Titans did release former starter Will Levis. He is an intriguing choice. Another couple of veterans were cut — Josh Johnson by the Bengals and Jake Browning by the Buccaneers.

There was some other interesting roster news from early-season Jets opponents. The Packers moved star edge rusher Micah Parsons to the regular-season version of the physically unable to perform list, meaning he will miss the first four games. The Jets face the Packers in Week 2. Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs also landed on the commissioner’s exempt list after recent legal trouble. He is not allowed to play while on that list.

The Lions placed safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on PUP, meaning they will miss the Week 3 game against Detroit.