With almost no room under the salary cap, the New York Jets have approached left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson about taking a pay cut, sources confirmed Wednesday night.
With a $14.1 million cap charge, Ferguson, 32, has been an obvious candidate for months. The team has only $565,000 in cap space, according to NFLPA records, and it's still hoping to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Despite the query, no formal negotiations have occurred, according to sources, and Ferguson's status has no bearing on the Jets' offer to Fitzpatrick.
General manager Mike Maccagnan broached the subject last week in a brief conversation with Ferguson in the team's weight room. Maccagnan mentioned how they needed cap relief, and that was the extent of it, one source said.
Presumably, talks will pick up in the coming weeks.
Ferguson is scheduled to make $10.38 million this season: $8.63 million in base salary, plus $1.75 million in bonuses. None of it is guaranteed.
There's no immediate deadline, because no bonus money is due until the completion of the offseason program in June. If Ferguson completes the program, he'd earn a $750,000 workout bonus.
Ferguson, who signed a six-year, $60 million contract in 2012, is signed through 2017.
Publicly, team officials haven't committed to him for 2016, fueling speculation about his status. Maccagnan said recently, "Right now, I'd say he would be on our roster going forward, but we'll see how this thing unfolds."
Ferguson, the fourth overall pick in 2006, has started every game in 10 seasons for the Jets. He has been one of the most durable players in the league and has never missed a snap because of an injury.
The New York Daily News first reported that Ferguson was approached about a pay cut.
Information from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter was used in this report.
