Jets send Lee to Chiefs after GM reshuffle



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Acting General Manager of Gets New York, Adam Gase, did not take long to make his first exchange.

On Wednesday night, the team agreed to send linebacker Darron Lee to the Kansas City Chiefs for a sixth round pick in 2020, said ESPN League official Adam Schefter.

Gase had inherited personal power earlier Wednesday, when general manager Mike Maccagnan was fired after four seasons. Gase, hired in January as a coach, will assume the duties of interim general manager until a new hire is hired.

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Maccagnan selected Lee in the first round of the 2016 draft. His days were numbered as soon as the Jets signed a contract with linebacker C.J. Mosley setting a record as a free agent. They tried to trade Lee last month in the NFL draft and then refused to exercise his fifth-year option.

Lee was the 20th overall pick in the 2016 draft. It was a curious choice because, at 6-foot-1, he seemed small to play as a linebacker in the 3-4 defense. The coaching staff downplayed the importance of the size factor, claiming that it matched the growing trend of fast linebackers who could play in the space against widespread offenses.

The Ohio State's former out-of-season has struggled during its first two seasons, especially against the race, but it showed signs of improvement in 2018. It made three interceptions – the first three of his career – including one for a touchdown.

Lee felt that he had played well enough to deserve the consideration of the Pro Bowl, but his season was abruptly over after the 12th encounter when he was suspended for four games for breaking the league's policy. substance abuse. He has not commented publicly on this yet.

As a result of the suspension, Lee's base salary for 2019, which stood at $ 1.84 million, is no longer fully guaranteed because, as a general rule, the guarantee was canceled. The Jets did not intend to exercise its fifth-year option for 2020, which would have been estimated at $ 10 million.

Year To choose Player
2019 3 DT Quinnen Williams
2018 3 QB Sam Darnold
2017 6 S Jamal Adams **
2016 20 LB Darron Lee *
2015 6 From Leonard Williams **
* Traded to the chiefs
** Pro Bowler

In the spirit of the Jets, Lee became consumable when they signed with Mosley a five – year contract worth $ 85 million in free sales agreement. Mosley will replace Avery Williamson, who will head to Lee's former post – the position of linebacker weakly inside.

Williamson's $ 8 million salary is guaranteed, and there was no chance that they would eat so much money. In three seasons, Lee has started 36 of 40 games, compiling four sacks, two forced fumbles and no collapsing recoveries.

Lee became Maccagnan's first choice to be eliminated from the list. The other four players – defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, quarterback Sam Darnold, safety team Jamal Adams and defensive end Leonard Williams – were all in the top six.

In Kansas City, Lee should have a chance to play.

The Chiefs, with one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL last season, have undergone a radical overhaul of this side of the ball. Among the changes, there is a 4-3 defensive system.

At least one of the starting points for the linebacker is to win after the Chiefs have traded one of the starters from last year. Dee Ford and released another to Justin Houston. Anthony Hitchens, a free agent from last year, and Damien Wilson, who signed this year, are among the starters. Third place is up for grabs, and that's where Lee could find out.

The Chiefs also have Reggie Ragland, who played 15 games last season, and Dorian O 'Daniel, a third-round pick last season.

Adam Teicher of ESPN contributed to this report.

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