Jets offseason: Cutting Bart Scott, Calvin Pace and Jason Smith would provide cap flexibility

The New York Jets are headed into the offseason more than $20 million over the 2013 cap, but they won't be over the cap for long. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that when the Jets cut linebackers Bart Scott and Calvin Pace and tackle Jason Smith in the near future, the three moves will save the Jets $27.7 million in cap space.

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None of the moves would come as a surprise as each of the three players are due large payouts in 2013. Smith would give the Jets a $12 million cap hit in 2013, an absolutely massive number for a backup lineman. The Jets traded Wayne Hunter for Smith in late August, hoping he would solidify their offensive line but he failed to crack the starting lineup.

Cutting Pace saves the Jets $11 million in 2013 and rids the Jets of a player whose production has declined in recent years. In 2012, Pace only recorded three sacks, his lowest total in five years with the Jets.

Scott, once the leader of the Jets defense, has also lost a step. Last season Scott recorded only 60 tackles, the worst production of his career since he became a starter in 2005.