The Jets yesterday released tight end Chris Baker, but according to sources with knowledge of the situation, they hope to re-sign him for a lesser salary.
Baker, who had 21 catches for 194 yards last season and is the best blocker among the team’s tight ends, had signed a three-year extension last season that called for him to make $9 million in guaranteed money from 2009-2011 if he was still on the roster on March 5. The Jets, who are salary cap strapped, were not going to pay that $9 million.
“They definitely want him back,” someone close to Baker told The Post yesterday. “They just didn’t want to pay the $9 million.”
But Baker almost certainly will hit the free-agent market, where he will gauge the interest and, unless he is blown away by an offer, possibly re-sign with the Jets. Baker, who’s from New York, always has expressed a desire to stay with the Jets.
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Jets management was scheduled to meet with the agent for starting RG Bran don Moore in an effort to restruc ture his contract, which calls for a $7 million roster bonus next month.
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Rex Ryan addressed the national media yesterday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and was asked how long it will take to get the Jets defense to play as well as his Ravens defenses.
“Next year,” Ryan said, referring to the 2009 season. “We only need to add one or two guys.”