Braxton Berrios gave the Jets plenty of reasons to want to lock him up long-term after his productive 2021 campaign, and the wide receiver/kick returner says Gang Green did enough to make him want to stay.
But that’s not enough to ensure that Berrios will be back in 2022.
“Obviously I want to be here,” Berrios reaffirmed to Tiki and Tierney on Wednesday. “I’ve said it so many different times. I do want to be here. Sadly, this part is now partially business and not just football.”
Berrios is now a free agent after a breakout year in which he was named to the All-Pro Team as a kick returner and a Pro Bowl alternate after finishing the season as the NFL’s leading kick returner. He also came along as a receiver down the stretch, finishing with a career-high 431 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches. At 26 years old, Berrios may have earned himself a nice payday with the season he had in New York, and while he hopes he gets to stay put, a lot of that will rest on the Jets’ desires to bring him back.
“I don’t think people understand, It’s not all in my control,” Berrios said. “I don’t dive into much, but I see stuff here and again through social media. And it’s just like ‘Guys, it’s not all me.’ I’ve expressed many, many times that I would love to come back and continue this program building with this team and with this coaching staff…it’s very comfortable. I know everybody in there.”
A mutual desire for a reunion could make contract negotiations simple, but Berrios will also be looking for the best possible deal. Head coach Robert Saleh said the team would love to have Berrios back, but the front office will have to prove that at the negotiating table. Fortunately, they’ll be dealing with a breakout performer who would prefer to stay where he has been for the last three seasons.
“It’s one of those things that it’s now become partly business, that I hate, and it’s not only up to me,” Berrios said. “But again…I would love to be back. Whether that happens or not is to be determined.”
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