Fans of the New York Jets, stop grieving. Jason Brownlee, the underdog wide receiver, is back with the team as a member of the Practice Squad. The undrafted pass-catcher, who was brought up in 2023 as a rookie, agreed to a deal with the Jets on Friday. To make place for Brownlee, New York also waived wide receiver Lance McCutcheon from the Practice Squad.
One day after making it through the first roster cutdown to the 53-man restriction for the second consecutive season, Brownlee was placed on the waiver wire. On Wednesday, Brownlee was removed from the roster when the Jets claimed rookie tight end Brenden Bates, a former member of the Chicago Bears. Luckily for New York and some of its supporters, Brownlee was able to clear waivers and sign with any team. The Southern Miss alumnus decided to return to the league that 16 months prior had given him the opportunity to begin his NFL career.
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers gives rookie quarterback Brownlee and fellow undrafted prospect Xavier Gipson public appreciation for their work during OTAs. Following that, both made their NFL debuts with Gang Green and remained on the roster the entire season. In 2023, Brownlee played in seven games and saw 311 offensive snaps. As a receiver, he was only targeted eight times, totaling five grabs for 56 yards. On Christmas Eve at MetLife Stadium, he caught his first touchdown reception of his career in a 30-28 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Despite not playing in any games, McCutcheon was a part of the Jets’ practice squad the previous season. In 2022, he did make ten appearances during the regular season with the Los Angeles Rams as a rookie. All of the P-Squad players that the Jets presently have on roster participated in training camp this summer. With offensive tackle Obinna Eze, a foreign-born player, having an International Pathway exemption, New York has a 17-man squad in addition to the 16 players that are permitted.
