It was just two seasons ago that Bart Scott was the heart and soul of a New York Jets defense that was but a few plays away from making it to the Super Bowl. Now, after his least productive season since becoming a full-time starter in 2005, it appears Scott's time with the Jets may be coming to an end.
The Jets have given Scott permission to seek a trade, according to the Daily News.
Jets' team officials reportedly met with Scott's agent, Harold Lewis, over the weekend at the NFL Combine to discuss the middle linebackers future with the team. Reports indicate that Scott expressed interest in a trade, due to a "diminished role" in the defense in 2011, and the team gave him permission to find a deal that would benefit both sides.
Scott, who still has three-years left on his current six-year $48 million contract, restructured his deal last offseason to help the Jets with some salary cap relief. The advantage for taking less money last season was that Scott's entire figure of $4.2 million was fully guaranteed for 2012, which makes it unlikely for the Jets to simply release him.
In 2011 Scott registered just 66 tackles, his lowest total since 2004. The talented linebacker did record 4.5 sacks, though, his most since posting 9.5 during his Pro Bowl season in 2006 and a solid increase over the one sack average he's had over the previous four seasons.
At 31, Scott may not be as quick or agile as he once was but the dissatisfied linebacker could still be an impact player on plenty of other NFL teams. With an even thinner linebacking crop available this offseason, given D'Qwell Jackson's reup in Cleveland, a trade for Scott may be the best option available for many teams looking to get better.
