The release of Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery makes a little more sense after learning the backstory.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that Cotchery asked for a trade as far back as February. When the team brought in Plaxico Burress, Cotchery knew he’d be a reserve again. When they brought in Derrick Mason for a physical, he apparently had enough.
Mehta says Rex Ryan tried to convince Cotchery to stay more than once.
“I probably saw it coming for a little while,” Ryan said. “But I guess I never wanted to admit it.”
The Jets saw Cotchery as a No. 3 receiver, and apparently his role wasn’t guaranteed even there. Cotchery was hoping to get a new contract, but he was signed through 2012.
“He didn’t want to be here any more,” one source told Mehta. “He felt disrespected and underappreciated.”
There is no guarantee that Mason will land in New York. He has offers from other teams. With Braylon Edwards in San Francisco, the Jets need to find another receiver.
Meanwhile, we wonder if Cotchery could wind up in San Diego with close friend and college teammate Philip Rivers.
