Jets' Robert Saleh on potential Braxton Berrios extension: 'We want him here'

It feels like since Joe Douglas came on as Jets GM, every offseason is more important than the previous one. But, strapped with an ample amount of cap room to work with, Douglas does have many options to upgrade a team that has shown competitiveness all season long despite what the record may show. 

Bringing in the right talent is a necessity for continuing Robert Saleh's revamp of Gang Green, but there are also a few impending free agents currently on the roster whom Douglas needs to pay attention to as well. 

Braxton Berrios is at the top of that list. 

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Saleh talked at length about the speedy receiver, who has clearly found his niche with New York. 

"Obviously we love Braxton," Saleh said of Berrios, who scored on Sunday against the Bucs. "I’ve always sat up here and said it’s our job as a coaching staff to make Joe Douglas’ job as hard as possible in regard to re-signing people. Everyone knows how we feel about Braxton. We want him here, but all that stuff is for him. He’s part of that discussion, too.”

Berrios has normally been viewed as a depth receiver who has a knack for punt returning, making him a reliable special teams guy. However, these past few weeks have shown that he's much more than that.

"What I do know is he’s very, very smart," Saleh said. "He can play every position. That trust and reliability aspect of his game is obviously there. But what he’s really carved out a role in is the fact that, because he’s so smart and multiple, usually if you got a guy doing all the little gadget stuff, they usually struggle to run routes. It’s a lot of information that’s happening with these guys, and he’s able to do it all.

“He’s a grinder. He’s gotten better every week. He’s really grinded in on the offense and knows everybody’s detail, everybody’s job. Just having him out there has been – the fact that he can run normal routes along with the gadget stuff, along with the jet sweeps – he’s definitely somebody that opposing defenses have to pay attention to.”

Standing at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, Berrios isn't just a speedy slot guy, as Saleh pointed out. He seems to know every route on every play, allowing offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to get creative with how he uses him. 

Last week against the Bucs, Berrios was seen in jet sweep situations as well as running regular routes. He has grit, speed, a keen eye for finding soft spots in a zone, and much more to give to an offense. 

It's why many believe Douglas will give him an extension. It also helps that Zach Wilson is trusting him more, too. 

"It’s all about trust," Saleh said. "Quarterback needs to know you’re going to be exactly where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there. He needs to know that when he’s breaking the huddle he’s not trying to liven you up. Quarterback has a lot going on in his mind. He doesn’t have to worry about you, because he knows you’re going to be exactly where you’re supposed to be pre-snap and post-snap. That trust factors, the timing, the rhythm, it’s so big for a quarterback.”

But, at the end of the day, Saleh and Douglas also have the mindset in that they want people who truly love football. 

"There’s a difference between guys who love ball and guys who like what football brings them," Saleh explained. "There’s a huge difference and they’re telling themselves every day. It’s amazing the guys who love ball find ways to absolutely maximize every fiber of their body – a guy like Braxton Berrios. Absolutely loves everything about football. He loves practice, he loves studying, he loves the rehab part, the training part, the game part. He loves everything. And because of it, you see a guy who gets better and a guy who’s done everything he can to help this team win. Those guys are the ones that, not that he lacks anything, any limitations they may have they overcome it with that love for football.”