Jets’ Jamien Sherwood has sights set on improving in pass coverage

ORCHARD PARK — Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension with the team last March.

When he put pen to paper on that deal, he went from being a player who had mainly been a backup without many expectations from those on the outside to one of the central figures on the team. 

Sherwood has struggled this season to play as well as he did last year and it has led to plenty of criticism of him.

Sherwood said he knew the expectations when he signed his big deal and did not feel added pressure. 

“I wouldn’t say pressure but to who much is given, much is expected,” Sherwood said Friday. “I knew a lot was expected out of me. It was 50-50 for me. There was a good amount of things that I did good but there was also a good amount of things that I didn’t do that I was expected to do.” 

Pro Football Focus has Sherwood rated as the 35th linebacker out of 87 graded. It was not all bad.

Sherwood still had some really good games against the run and was a tackling machine.

But he struggled in pass coverage, something he acknowledges and was part of a Jets defense that fell apart this year. 

Sherwood said his main focus this offseason will be pass coverage. He said he wants to study route concepts more, concentrate on using his feet and not his hands and work on recognizing pass plays quickly.

Sherwood had what coaches call “bad eyes” this season too often, meaning he would bite on run fakes or get fooled by motion. 

“I felt that was the main part that got me in trouble, my eyes would be in the wrong spot,” Sherwood said. “My biggest emphasis this offseason is pass coverage.” 

It would be costly for the Jets to cut Sherwood this offseason. He would carry a $25 million dead money charge. If he is on the team, his cap number will be $11.5 million. So, he should be back.

Sherwood is focused on regaining the form that earned him the extension last year. 

“I know I’m a good player, but it’s easy to say things,” Sherwood said. “Your actions have to show it.” 

The Jets downgraded RB Breece Hall (knee) and CB Brandon Stephens (neck) to out Saturday.

Hall ends the season with 1,065 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. He is scheduled to be a free agent in March. 

The Jets made a flurry of roster moves for Sunday’s game. They signed QB Hendon Hooker, DL Kingsley Jonathan and OL Kohl Levao to the active roster. They placed TE Mason Taylor, RB Isaiah Davis and OL Xavier Newman on IR. They also elevated RB Raheem Blackshear and DB Sam Womack from the practice squad. … Three Jets players received fines from the Patriots game: Jermaine Johnson ($17,389) for a blow to the quarterback’s head/neck, Davis ($5,686) for use of the helmet and Jordan Clark ($4,703) for taunting.