The longest-tenured Jet will be flying a new course this season.
David Harris, who has played the last 10 years with the Jets and is the team’s second all-time leading tackler, was abruptly released by the team after their morning workout Tuesday.
Harris participated in the team’s organized team activities workout and was present in the locker room. He was summoned to head coach Todd Bowles’ office and was given the news that his run that began as a second-round draft pick in 2007 was over.
He leaves as the team’s signal caller on defense and with 1,260 tackles. Harris, 33, played in 137 of the last 138 games, having a previous streak of 121 consecutive games.
It was the latest move in the Jets’ apparent rebuild to become younger, having Nick Mangold, Darrell Revis, and Brandon Marshall recently being released. The Jets tried to restructure Harris’ contract to have him take a pay cut, but sides could not come to an agreement.
Bowles, who appeared to be in disfavor of the move, addressed the issue soon afterward.
“It was an organizational decision,” said Bowles. “They were talking about a pay reduction and they didn’t come to an agreement . We didn’t come to an agreement, and it eventually led to this.
“It wasn’t an easy time. David has been a Jet all his life. He was born and bled green. Obviously, he was a guy very well-liked in the building. It’s part of the business. It’s never an easy thing.”
Bowles indicated that recently acquired Demarion Davis, Julian Stanford, and Bruce Carter all will be in line to take Harris’ spot at middle linebacker. With Harris’ departure, long-snapper Tanner Purdum becomes the new longest-tenured Jet , being with the club since 2010.