Manish Mehta is reporting that the New York Jets will pick up the fifth-year option for pass rushing linebacker, Quinton Coples.
Per terms of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, Coples’ fifth-year option will be worth $7.8 million — the average salaries of the 25 highest-paid players at his position, not including the two highest-paid players.
If Coples, who has only 16½ career sacks, disappoints, general manager Mike Maccagnan could release him before his fifth-year salary becomes guaranteed next March. “You see potential,” Bowles said at the league meetings last month. “He’s a lot like Geno (Smith). . . . You see him make plays and then you see him do other things at times. He can make strides this year and become a better player.”
Coples, 24, has had challenges in his transition from defensive lineman as a rookie to outside linebacker the past two seasons. Although he had a career-high 6½ sacks last season, he struggled with responsibilities such as dropping into coverage and disappearing for long stretches. He thrived in college as a hand-in the-dirt pass rusher, but it’s unclear how Bowles will use him.