Former Tennessee Titans receiver Rishard Matthews has signed with the New York Jets. The addition of Matthews will be a good thing for the Jets offense.
The New York Jets signed former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews on Tuesday.
Matthew had signed a one-year contract extension with the Titans in August. However he requested to be released because of his lack of playing time, his role with the offense and a lack of targets. This season he has only three catches for 11 yards.
When Matthews was granted his release by the Titans, Tennessee GM Jon Robinson told The Tennessean(via the New York Daily News):
“I think it was his role and his use in the offense. We explored the trade option with several teams, but I would say that market never really manifested itself.I think Rashard [Rishard] could help this team. I told him that several times. And he felt differently. He felt like he needed to move on. And that’s what we’ve done.”
The signing is a good thing for the Jets because they need help at wide receiver.
Jets leading receiver Quincy Enunwa is expected to miss a couple more games due to an ankle sprain and Terrelle Pryor was released on Saturday.
During Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Jets receivers struggled as they had only seven catches. The Jets also don’t have a lot of depth at wide receiver.
Here’s what coach Todd Bowles told Rich Cimini of ESPN about the lack of depth:
“The more we get nicked up, we’ve got to have numbers … to produce. Certain guys are going to certain packages and have to get more reps, and have to come around faster than usual.”
Matthews will provide some depth for the Jets and give the Jets offense some much-needed help and will be another target for Sam Darnold.
He was the Titans leading receiver the last two years with 118 catches for 1,740 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has 228 catches for 3,147 yards and 21 touchdowns in his career.
Matthews is a great addition to the Jets because he gives them what they need the most, wide receiver depth and offensive help.
