After two years with the Seattle Seahawks, cornerback D.J. Reed is leaving the franchise for the New York Jets. Now Reed explains, “He actually wanted to stay in Seattle, but felt underappreciated by the contract extension offer. “

Munich/New York – Cornerback D.J. Reed has left the Seattle Seahawks in the current free agency and joined the New York Jets, where he received a three-year contract worth 33 million dollars.

By his own admission, the player enjoyed his two seasons with the Seahawks and actually wanted to stay there, but felt the franchise’s contract offer didn’t give him his due.

“They made me an offer, but the offer was disrespectful in my opinion and also in my agent’s opinion considering my level of play and the player that I am,” the 25-year-old told a presser.

And Reed further elaborated: “I don’t want to go into details because I don’t want to attack anyone or do anything like that, but I definitely know that I should be worth more. That’s my impression. I’m grateful to be a Jet.”

Reed considers himself one of the best corners in the NFL and wanted the Seahawks to pay him accordingly. The player nonetheless stressed that he had “nothing but love” for general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll for giving him a chance, but he made no secret of his feelings after the negotiations.

Reed sees himself as a trailblazer for the Seahawks

Reed was the Seahawks’ best cornerback last season, appearing in 14 games and recording two interceptions and ten passes defensed.

At 6-foot-7, Reed sees himself as a “blueprint” for reinterpreting the cornerback position for the Seahawks, who previously traditionally preferred taller corners. He sees himself as one of the reasons the Seahawks drafted 6-foot-7 Tre Brown in the fourth round in the 2021 NFL Draft. “We both benefited from each other because I played for the Seahawks,” Reed stressed.

After Seahawks departure: Reed sees himself as star cornerback

In New York, Reed will work again with head coach Robert Saleh, who was defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2018 when they drafted Reed in the fifth round. He was also the coordinator when Reed was released before the 2020 season, though that was injury-related rather than performance-related before the Seahawks signed the unsigned player.

The Jets hope Reed and safety Jordan Whitehead, another new addition from free agency, can bolster their young secondary. This is badly needed, as the “Gang Green” had the third-worst pass defence in the league last season, according to ESPN.

And Reed sees himself not only as a backup, but as a cornerstone for the future of the franchise: “I feel like I’m a number-one cornerback,” stressed Reed, who clearly doesn’t lack confidence:

“I think it’s obvious, but people look at my size and say, ‘Oh, he’s a good CB2’. Well, so, no. If you look at the videos from last year and the year before, I’m a CB1. My stats compared to the All-Pros last year, from Jalen Ramsey to A.J. Terrell to – who was it again? – J.C. Jackson. My stats are right up there with those guys. And I’m going to take another step this year.”

Reed, unlike his ex-team, didn’t just become convinced of his qualities yesterday. “Honestly, I knew I was talented in high school,” he said. “Even when I didn’t have offers, I knew I was special. I knew that God created me as his masterpiece. “