A league source familiar with the talks confirmed shortly after 6 p.m. that the team was no longer involved in talks for Asomugha, a 30-year-old who was widely considered the best player available in free agency this offseason. About an hour later, the Philadelphia Eagles held a press conference in which they announced that they'd agreed to sign the former Oakland defensive back for five years and $60 million.
Missing out on Asomugha was a vast and complicating disappointment for the Jets, who appeared to be moving heaven and earth to make room for the Pro Bowler who previously made nearly $15 million a year.
The club had crunched numbers meticulously and asked numerous players, including star linebacker Bart Scott, about their willingness to restructure their contracts to save salary-cap room, presumably to allow for a high-priced signing like Asomugha.
The Jets had about $100 million worth of contracts on the books when free agency opened. (The league salary cap is set at about $120 million.) Then, on Wednesday, the club agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal with receiver Santonio Holmes, pushing the Jets' payroll higher.
New York, along with a handful of teams that included San Francisco and Houston, appeared to be the front-runners to land the corner. In particular, the Jets were intrigued by the prospect of playing Asomugha across from star cornerback Darrelle Revis, whom many analysts consider the best defensive back in the game.
Revis himself lauded the idea earlier in the week, saying he'd previously spoken with Asomugha about teaming up. But with the pursuit having failed, it's fair to ask whether the team was in over its head. It already had one of the league's most stout defenses, and its cornerback duo of Revis and Antonio Cromartie formed arguably the NFL's best tandem in 2010.
Now, the team may have to consider reaching out to Cromartie, who is a free agent and may feel disparaged as a result of the push for Asomugha. In particular, Revis said he believed Cromartie was "great," but suggested the game was a "business" and that the Jets should replace him with what he saw as a better option. Cromartie could not be reached for a comment on the remark.
Beyond whatever tension the Asomugha offer might have caused, it also held up the Jets' free-agency plans and limited their ability to make significant deals with other players.
The team lost its first big name Thursday, when Brad Smith took a four-year, $15-million deal with the rival Buffalo Bills. Smith, who made his name as a strong kick returner, wanted to remain a Jet. He'd even attended unofficial offseason workouts with his New York teammates despite not having a contract in place.
His agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Friday that the team was too hung up with Asomugha to make Smith an offer.
"He loved playing with the Jets, and I got the impression that they really wanted him back. But [Asomugha] was a priority for them," he said, adding that Jets management had been in touch with him several times each day about Smith. "Other teams, especially the Bills, were making Brad their priority."
If there's an upside to losing out on Asomugha, it's that the Jets now have a decent amount of money with which they can fill their holes at cornerback and receiver. Aside from Cromartie, a number of other corners remain available, including Carlos Rogers and Chris Carr. Philadelphia's Asante Samuel, who could be displaced by the Asomugha signing, may become available as well.
At receiver, they may turn to free-agent Randy Moss or could negotiate with Braylon Edwards, who will seek a long-term deal but would like to return to the club for a third season.
The Jets pulled out of the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes late Friday, a letdown for a club that put many of its free-agency plans on hold this week while trying to land the high-profile cornerback.
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