The Jets have released long-time wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery to clear cap space to sign former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason.
Cotchery was a fourth-round pick of the Jets in 2004 and has spent all seven years of his NFL career in green and white. He was the longest-tenured member of the team in training camp this summer.
Cotchery suffered a lower back injury in 2010 and had not yet practiced with the team in training camp as he recovers from surgery.
The release of the 29-year-old Cotchery opens the door for the Jets to bring in Mason, a player head coach Rex Ryan was familiar with during his tenure in Baltimore.
Cotchery would have earned $1,991,666 for the 2011 season.
