The New York Jets are set to absorb $13.375 million in dead cap charges on February 13, 2026, as the contracts of four players officially void. This development tightens the team’s salary cap situation, with impacts reverberating into the upcoming NFL season. The voided contracts belong to linebacker Quincy Williams, guard John Simpson, safety Andre Cisco, and quarterback Tyrod Taylor, leaving general manager Darren Mougey little room to maneuver.
Details of Each Void Contract and Its Financial Consequences
Quincy Williams carries the largest dead cap hit at $4.875 million, reflecting his role and prior contract guarantees. Meanwhile, John Simpson adds $2.1 million to the dead cap total after signing a two-year deal worth $12 million with $6 million guaranteed when he joined the Jets in 2024. Safety Andre Cisco’s contract results in a $4 million dead cap charge, highlighting a disappointing tenure for the 25-year-old who signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with $7.5 million guaranteed. Tyrod Taylor, a veteran backup quarterback, will contribute $2.4 million in dead cap; his future in the league remains uncertain as he turns 37 in August.
The Mechanics Behind Void Years and Contract Structures
Void years in NFL contracts are designed to spread guaranteed money over more years by artificially extending contracts, often pushing cap hits into future seasons. The Jets’ use of void years means that when these years expire, the accumulated guaranteed funds accelerate onto the current cap, producing dead money that does not benefit the team on the field. The only way to reduce the $13.375 million dead cap would have been through renegotiations, extensions, designations like post-June 1 cuts, or retirements. However, the Jets reached a point where further restructuring was unfeasible.
Team Strategy and Player Futures Influence Cap Outcomes
The decision to allow Quincy Williams’s contract to void aligns with the Jets’ recent roster moves, including signing Jamien Sherwood in free agency and evaluating linebacker performance. Williams’s departure was anticipated, given his declining production and the team’s shifting priorities. John Simpson’s uncertain status stems from an improved offensive line in 2025, which placed his future with the Jets in doubt. Andre Cisco failed to meet expectations despite his substantial guaranteed money, making his contract untenable. Tyrod Taylor has served as a reliable backup over two seasons but faces an uncertain path ahead, with his age a factor.
Upcoming Free Agency Sets the Stage for Roster Changes
With NFL free agency opening on March 11 at 4:00 p.m. ET, and the legal tampering window beginning two days earlier on March 9 at noon ET, the Jets and Darren Mougey have opportunities to adjust the roster. Navigating these dead cap hits will be an important factor as they explore new contracts and roster moves throughout the offseason. Managing the New York Jets dead cap space will be a priority to maintain competitive flexibility going forward.
The contracts of four #Jets players are set to void today, leaving behind a combined $13.375M of dead cap for the upcoming season.
S Andre Cisco
LB Quincy Williams
QB Tyrod Taylor
G John Simpson— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 13, 2026
