Jets clear $10M in cap space by letting injury-prone tackle walk

The Jets are back in the market for a starting left tackle.On Wednesday, the Jets declined to exercise Ryan Clady’s option for 2017, according to The Post’s Brian Costello, making the 30-year-old an unrestricted free agent. By declining the option, the...

Jets clear $10M in cap space by letting injury-prone tackle walk

The Jets are back in the market for a starting left tackle.

On Wednesday, the Jets declined to exercise Ryan Clady’s option for 2017, according to The Post’s Brian Costello, making the 30-year-old an unrestricted free agent. By declining the option, the Jets save $10 million in cap space, while also avoiding having to pay Clady a $1 million roster bonus.

The Jets had traded for the veteran from the Broncos in April after longtime tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson — who never missed a game in his 10-year career — retired, but Clady appeared in just nine games with the Jets last season, before being placed on season-ending injured reserve with a torn left rotator cuff. Clady initially hurt his shoulder in Week 3 against the Chiefs, but continued playing through the ailment.

Clady, who will turn 31 in September, was once one of the best left tackles in the league, named an All-Pro on three occasions.

However, the former first-round draft pick and four-time Pro Bowler – who still could end up back with the Jets — lost his place among the game’s elite after suffering various injuries in recent years. He missed the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL and has played in just 27-of-64 possible games over the past four seasons.

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