New York Jets Should Hold On To Disgruntled Denzel Mims

Denzel Mims has made it clear he no longer wishes to be a part of the New York Jets. After the wide receiver shone in the Jets’ preseason finale with the New York Giants, head coach Robert Saleh made it clear Mims had better get comfortable.

Mims, a second-round pick of the Jets back in 2020, has failed to live up to his draft status so far in his brief career. He has played in just 20 games across his first two seasons, producing 31 catches for 490 yards.

A 6ft 3in receiver more reliant on his catch-point prowess than route-running precision during his career at Baylor, Mims is an awkward fit for an offense run by a Kyle Shanahan disciple in Mike LaFleur. That has proven to be the case to this point.

Mims had only eight catches in Saleh’s first year as head coach and LaFleur’s first as offensive coordinator last season, and the growing frustration with his role led Mims’ agent to publicly announce his request for a trade.

In a statement, Mims’ representative Ron Slavin said it was “just time” for Mims to continue his career elsewhere. In what he may have viewed as an audition to potential suitors, Mims reiterated that sentiment.

Mims caught all six of his targets against the Giants for 91 yards and a touchdown. After making a diving catch to haul in a deep ball from Chris Streveler for his score, Mims pointed to his wrist to hammer his agent’s point home.

But that message appears to have little impact on Saleh.

“Like I’ve said, he’s one of our six best receivers and he’s gonna be here as far as I’m concerned,” Saleh said in his press conference after the game.

Of course, the decision may not be up to Saleh. General manager Joe Douglas said on WFAN on Friday (h/t ProFootballTalk) that the Jets had received a couple of calls about Mims.

Yet the best move for the Jets may be to keep Mims on their books, particularly as they deal with yet more adversity at the quarterback position.

With Zach Wilson likely to miss the start of the season with the torn meniscus he suffered in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Jets are left to choose between Joe Flacco and Mike White under center.

Flacco is likely to get the nod in Wilson’s absence but neither he nor White inspires much confidence. While Flacco will look to build a rapport with Corey Davis, Elijah Moore and rookie Garrett Wilson, Mims’ catch radius and ability to win contested fights for the football could make his life substantially easier and give him a downfield threat that doesn’t always need separation to be in a position to make big plays.

Given Wilson’s struggles with inconsistent accuracy as a rookie, Mims will still retain value to the New York offense even when he returns. Mims may not be a perfect fit for the offense, but the Jets do not have the depth to simply let go of a player of his talent.

Mims has barely had a chance to prove he can thrive in the Jets’ system and it would behoove the team to resolve the situation and offer him that opportunity.