The Jets declined the team options Tuesday on three defensive backups — nose tackle Mike Pennel, linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis and safety Terrence Brooks.
The moves created about $5.5 million in salary-cap space, leaving the Jets a little more than $100 million under the cap. They also have a league-low 39 players under contract, so there is a lot of work to be done in free agency.
The three players were not seen as fits in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ defense.
Tuesday was the deadline for the Jets to decide on Pennel’s $1 million option bonus.