Jets' Michael Carter II on extension: I couldn't imagine being anywhere else
Jets cornerback Michael Carter II speaks to media during training camp at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J., on July 30. Credit: Ed Murray
Michael Carter II was hoping to get a contract extension from the Jets last year. When he didn’t, he put all of his focus into trying to become the best slot cornerback in the NFL.
The Jets believe Carter accomplished that. They gave him a three-year, $30.75 million extension that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid slot corner.
“It’s super exciting,” Carter said after signing his new deal. “I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”
The Jets selected Carter in the fifth round out of Duke in 2020. He worked hard and established himself on a defense that’s filled with stars and big names. Quarterbacks had a passer rating of 73.2 against Carter over the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Reference.
The organization’s belief in Carter showed with this deal that kicks in next season. He would have been sought-after had he hit free agency. Instead, Carter became the first Joe Douglas draft pick to receive an extension from the Jets.
“He’s kind of a quiet assassin,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “He’s so reliable. He doesn’t get as much fanfare, but he’s as reliable as any nickel there is in football. Teammates love him, works his tail off, and he’s another guy that we can do a lot with. And because of that, it adds a little bit of a dimension to our defense that many others can’t have.”
After it was reported that Carter was getting an extension, numerous current and former Jets responded on X, congratulating him and saying how much he deserved it. Carter is well respected in the locker room.
“I really believe, even when I first got here, we would be able to win a lot of games here and I wanted to be a part of that,” Carter said. “From Day 1 to be where we started until now and the growth of myself personally and of the team and now signing this extension, it means the world.
“Thankful to the Jets for seeing the value in me and putting their trust and faith in me. Just super grateful that they really believed in a fifth-round, 5-10 pick from Duke.”
Another big deal could be coming.
The Jets freed up some money by restructuring the contracts of Quincy Williams and Tyler Conklin. It could be an indication that Haason Reddick is close to ending his holdout. He’s seeking a new contract or reworked one from the $14.25 million that was due to him this season.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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