The Jets have issued a second-round tender to WR Robby Anderson worth $3.1 million, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirmed on Thursday.
This tender doesn't necessarily mean Anderson is locked in with the Jets for the 2019 season. Teams that are interested in Anderson could issue an offer sheet that the Jets would have the chance to match. If the Jets don't match it, they would receive draft compensation.
Speaking back in November, Anderson didn't want to be tendered by the Jets, as he wants to be a part of their long-term plans.
"I would hope not to be tendered," he told the Daily News' Manish Mehta. "Because I don't want to be here for possibly just one more year. I want to be here for the long term. I feel like I worked hard. (The RFA tender) is a step up from where I'm at now. But I want to be here for the long term."
While Anderson certainly developed chemistry with QB Sam Darnold, who the Jets want to surround with playmakers this offseason, the 25-year-old receiver has some baggage. He has had a few run-ins with the law off-the-field, and after posting 941 yards on 63 receptions in 2017, his numbers dipped last season with 752 yards on 50 receptions.
Injuries do come into play with that with Anderson playing in only 14 games (nine starts) in 2018. However, the Jets likely need to see more consistency from him before a long-term deal comes into play. They also inked WR Quincy Enunwa to a four-year, $36 million deal last year.
Though he may not want the tender, Anderson did say this is a step up from what he was making ($630,000 for 2018). So, with that in mind, this could be a prove-it year for Anderson to show the Jets he deserves to be out wide for Darnold for years to come.