The Jets’ request that he take a pay cut precipitated left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s decision to retire.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that Ferguson began contemplating retirement when the team approached him about a pay cut, and Ferguson would almost certainly have played this season if the Jets had been willing to pay him the full $10.375 million his contract called for.
However, the Jets weren’t going to pay him that kind of money, and they talked to him this week about taking a pay cut. The Jets hoped to entice Ferguson to take less money by telling him it would allow them to bring back quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, but Ferguson decided he’d rather just walk away.
The 32-year-old Ferguson has made about $70 million in his 10-year career.