The Jets moved another step closer to moving on from linebacker Darron Lee on Friday when they declined his fifth-year option.
Lee, the team’s 2016 first-round pick, is now in the final year of his contract. He can be a free agent in 2020.
It became increasingly clear over the past few months the Jets would not be picking up the option for 2020, which was about $9.5 million. Lee has improved in his three years with the Jets, but last year ended on a sour note when he was suspended for the final four games after violating the league’s substance abuse policy.