The New York Jets entered the offseason with the task of signing WR Santonio Holmes to a new contract. With the coming lockout, that task is considerably more difficult. So the Jets placed a first and third round restricted free agent tender on Holmes this week in the hopes of securing his rights for 2011.
The problem is that we don't know what the rules will be in the next CBA between the players and owners. The current deal expires on Thursday night.
Currently, in the uncapped year, players with five or less years of service are restricted free agents. That's the category Holmes falls under and it's why the Jets were able to tender him. In the next deal, though, some people think the threshold for restricted free agency will be reverted back to three years. That would not cover Holmes.
So, as with everything relating to football right now, we have a lot more questions than answers. But, for now -- or the next two days -- the Jets will retain Holmes' rights.
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