Report: Antonio Cromartie willing to return to Jets for less money

The New York Jets released Antonio Cromartie on Thursday, but that does not necessarily mean the veteran cornerback will not be with the team next season.

Cromartie will be free to test the open market, but he could also choose to sign a new deal with the Jets for less money. According to Darryl Slater of NJ.com, that is something Cromartie might be interested in.

But if that option comes up, Cromartie is expected to be willing to take less money to return, because he loves the Jets organization and coach Todd Bowles, according to a league source.

The source spoke to NJ Advance Media on a condition of anonymity, while also noting it’s still early in this process, and it’s not clear what the Jets want to do with the starting cornerback spot opposite Darrelle Revis.

Cromartie did not record an interception last season for the first time since his rookie year. The 31-year-old is clearly heading into the back end of his career, but he would still have value if he signed a team-friendly contract. Keeping Cromartie under the four-year, $32 million contract he signed last offseason simply wasn’t an option for the Jets.

This was Cromartie’s second stint with the Jets, and it’s possible he might prefer to stay where he is with all the excitement he has going on in his personal life. Don’t be surprised if the two sides work something out.