Former first-round draft pick Quinton Coples, whose playing time has steadily decreased throughout the season, was waived Monday by the New York Jets -- perhaps a move by coach Todd Bowles to shake up his slumping team.
Coples, the 16th overall pick in 2012, played a season-low five defensive snaps in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Houston Texans, the team's fourth defeat in the past five games. In the past three games, he played a total of 20 snaps on defense.
Bowles insisted he wasn't trying to make a statement by cutting Coples, saying, "It was a business move, it was nothing personal." He said there were no off-the-field issues that factored into the decision.
"We're just trying to play good football players," he said. "We're trying to play guys that want to play and guys that are ready to play. Obviously, along the way, whether we're winning or losing, we have to make business decisions going forward. This was just one of them."
Coples took to Twitter to thank Jets fans for their support during his four seasons with the team.
To all the incredible New York Jets fans and supporters, I am humbled and most grateful for you. I wish the Jets nothing but the best.
— Quinton Coples (@QueCeasar) November 24, 2015The Jets have a plan to fill the roster spot, but Bowles wouldn't divulge it. They might add an experienced kickoff returner, an ongoing problem spot.
In 10 games, Coples produced only 12 tackles and had no sacks, giving him only 16.5 sacks in his four-year run in New York.
Coples began the season as a starting outside linebacker, but his playing time fell off in recent weeks as the team began using a 4-3 front. He was drafted because of his pass rushing prowess, but he was removed from most of the pass rushing packages -- a telltale sign he had fallen out of favor with the new coaching staff.
Bowles and the coaches insisted throughout the season they weren't disappointed in Coples' play, but their actions spoke louder than words.
In Houston, the Jets replaced the injured Sheldon Richardson with career backup Leger Douzable, who played a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position in their alternating fronts. In the past, it would've been Coples' role.
Coples was drafted by the previous administration, which picked him over Chandler Jones, who was selected a few picks later by the New England Patriots. There was a split in the Jets organization, but former general manager Mike Tannenbaum sided with then-coach Rex Ryan, who lobbied for Coples.
The Jets never figured out where to use Coples. He started out as a defensive lineman, but was moved to outside linebacker in 2013. Oversized for a linebacker at 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, he struggled in space and never found a niche.
Bowles acknowledged Coples wasn't a fit for the defensive scheme.
"I think he was a better inside player than he was an outside player, but we've got a slew of guys inside, including drafting Leonard [Williams] in the first round," Bowles said. "As an outside player, I thought he was OK, but we need a little more speed on the field for what we're trying to do. He just got caught up in the tweener status for us. It doesn't mean he can't play. It just wasn't a fit for us because of the depth we have inside."
Coples signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $8.8 million contract. This past spring, the Jets exercised their fifth-year option for $7.8 million in 2016 -- guaranteed at the time for injury only. The Jets no longer owe him that money, and it's wiped off their salary cap.
The Jets have only two players remaining from their eight-man draft class in 2012 -- starting linebacker Demario Davis, a third-round choice, and seventh-round safety Antonio Allen (injured reserve). A year ago, they cut wide receiver Stephen Hill, a second-round bust.