New York Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims reportedly requested a trade out of the team. According to Mims’ agent, Ron Slavin, his request was driven by his inability to secure starting position on the roster.
Despite the Mets’ management having no plans to trade Mims, Slavin said that his client doesn’t see “a future” with the Jets.
“Denzel tried in good faith, but it’s clear he does not have a future with the Jets,” he said.
“Denzel vowed to come back better than ever this season and worked extremely hard in the offseason to make that happen. Still, he has been given no opportunities with the starting offense to get in a groove with them.”
A statement from Ron Slavin, agent of #Jets WR Denzel Mims: pic.twitter.com/Na87vimRJd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2022
Mims, who was selected as a second-rounder in pick No.59 in the 2020 NFL Draft, played 11 games in two seasons with the Jets. The 24-year-old player caught 31 passes and recorded 490 yards of passing received.
Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports reported that Mims performed well during the Jets’ training camp. However, DeArdo said that it was the Jets’ wide receiver depth chart that was loaded by other players, namely a fourth-year Jeff Smith, rookie Calvin Johnson, Corey Davis, 2021 second-rounder Elijah Moore, and a 2022 first-rounder Garret Wilson, which made Mims chosen as last option.
Sources: The #Jets are open & plan to grant Denzel Mims’ trade request.
They will not, though, give him away. They believe Mims has talent & like their receiving unit with him on it.
Only way a trade happens is if #NYJ get what they believe is equal value.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) August 26, 2022
“We feel at this point a trade is our only option, since the Jets have told us repeatedly they will not release him,” Slavin continued.
In his rookie season, Mims only managed to play for nine games, due to a hamstring issue. In 2021, Mims was a part of 40 percent of the Jets’ offensive plays, adding his previous playing time, caught 31 out of 67 passes that led to him, and totaled 490 yards received.
Mims’ future beyond Jets
According to Joe Person of the Atheltic, Carolina Panthers are interested to trade for Mims, after the 24-year-old footballer called out his trade request.
Panthers have called about Jets WR Denzel Mims, per league sources. Mims had a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons for Matt Rhule at Baylor.
GM Scott Fitterer has said Panthers will be in on every deal. So Mims interest not surprising, esp. given his connection to Rhule. (1/2)— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 26, 2022
“Panthers have called about Jets WR Denzel Mims, per league sources,” Person wrote on Twitter.
“Mims had a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons for Matt Rhule at Baylor. GM Scott Fitterer has said Panthers will be in on every deal. So Mims interest not surprising, esp. given his connection to Rhule.”
Other than the Panthers, CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan said that Mims has several options for joining other NFL teams.
According to Sullivan, the Atlanta Falcons could be a possible destination for Mims as the team is undergoing a transition. Even though the Falcons have other top-tier players, Sullivan said that Mims’ addition could diversify their offensive lineups.
Moreover, Sullivan also mentioned several teams, such as the Green Bay Packers, which just traded their first wide receiver, Davante Adams. Currently, the Packers’ wide receiver depth includes Allen Lazard, two veterans, Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb, and rookie Romeo Doubs.
Sullivan also mentioned that the Dallas Cowboys could be another team that can guarantee Mims’ spot.
After the departure of Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup’s ACL injury, no player has been confirmed as the Cowboys’ second option at wide receiver behind CeeDee Lamb. Sullivan asserted that Mims could compete for a spot with the Cowboys, a pass-heavy team led by QB Dak Prescott.