Joseph Ossai

New York Jets, Defensive End

Age: 25y-11m-13d (Apr 13, 2000)

Exp: 5 Years

Country: US

College: Texas

Drafted: Round 3 (#69 overall), 2021

Agent(s): David Mulugheta (Athletes First)

2026 Cap Hit

$5,455,000

2026 Cash

$12,500,000

Career Earnings

$11,850,650

2026-2028 Free Agent (CURRENT)

Joseph Ossai signed a 3 year, $34,500,000 contract with the New York Jets, including $9,000,000 signing bonus, $22,490,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $11,500,000. In 2026, Ossai will earn a base salary of $3,495,000 and a signing bonus of $8,750,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,455,000 and a dead cap value of $22,490,000.

Contract Terms:

3 yr(s) / $34,500,000

Average Salary:

$11,500,000

Signing Bonus:

$9,000,000

GTD at Sign:

$22,490,000

Total GTD:

$22,490,000

Free Agent:

2029 / UFA

MANAGE CONTRACT

Year	Age	Status	Cap HitAnnual	Cap % League Cap	Cash Annual	Cash Cumulative	Dead Cap Annual
2026	26		$5,455,000	1.81%	$12,500,000	$12,500,000	$22,490,000
2027	27		$12,250,000	3.79%	$10,500,000	$23,000,000	$17,245,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 2 YR, $23,000,000; $5,250,000 DEAD CAP
2028	28		$13,250,000	3.73%	$11,500,000	$34,500,000	$5,250,000
2029	29	Void UFA	$1,750,000	0.47%	-	$34,500,000	$3,500,000
2030		Void	$1,750,000	0.44%	-	$34,500,000	-

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Proration	Active/GM Roster Bonus	Cap Hit	Cap % League	Dead Cap
2026	26		$3,495,000	$1,750,000	$210,000	$5,455,000	1.81%	$22,490,000	2026 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $22,490,000 2026 Savings: $-17,035,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $8,750,000 2026 Savings: $-3,295,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2026 Dead Cap: $15,490,000 2027 Dead Cap: $7,000,000 2026 Savings: $-10,035,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $15,490,000 2027 Dead Cap: $7,000,000 2026 Savings: $-10,035,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $1,750,000 2027 Dead Cap: $7,000,000 2026 Savings: $3,705,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2027	27		$10,245,000	$1,750,000	$255,000	$12,250,000	3.79%	$17,245,000	2027 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $17,245,000 2027 Savings: $-4,995,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $7,000,000 2027 Savings: $5,250,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2027 Dead Cap: $11,995,000 2028 Dead Cap: $5,250,000 2027 Savings: $255,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $11,995,000 2028 Dead Cap: $5,250,000 2027 Savings: $255,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $1,750,000 2028 Dead Cap: $5,250,000 2027 Savings: $10,500,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 2 YR, $23,000,000; $5,250,000 DEAD CAP
2028	28		$11,245,000	$1,750,000	$255,000	$13,250,000	3.73%	$5,250,000	2028 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $5,250,000 2028 Savings: $8,000,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $5,250,000 2028 Savings: $8,000,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2028 Dead Cap: $1,750,000 2029 Dead Cap: $3,500,000 2028 Savings: $11,500,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $1,750,000 2029 Dead Cap: $3,500,000 2028 Savings: $11,500,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $1,750,000 2029 Dead Cap: $3,500,000 2028 Savings: $11,500,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2029	29	Void UFA	-	$1,750,000	-	$1,750,000	0.47%	$3,500,000	2029 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $3,500,000 2029 Savings: $-1,750,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $3,500,000 2029 Savings: $-1,750,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $3,500,000 2029 Savings: $1,750,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $3,500,000 2029 Savings: $1,750,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $3,500,000 2029 Savings: $1,750,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2030		Void	-	$1,750,000	-	$1,750,000	0.44%	-	2030 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $1,750,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $1,750,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $1,750,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $1,750,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $1,750,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Bonus	Active/Gm Roster Bonus	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative	Cash Remaining
2026	26		$3,495,000	$8,750,000	$255,000	$12,500,000	$12,500,000	$34,500,000
2027	27		$10,245,000	-	$255,000	$10,500,000	$23,000,000	$22,000,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 2 YR, $23,000,000; $5,250,000 DEAD CAP
2028	28		$11,245,000	-	$255,000	$11,500,000	$34,500,000	$11,500,000
2029	29	Void	-	-	-	-	$34,500,000	-
2030	30	Void	-	-	-	-	$34,500,000	-

Contract Notes

$22.49M guaranteed (signing bonus + 2026 salary + 2027 salary)
Per Game Active Bonus: $15,000 ($255,000)
Annual Incentives: $500,000

Source: NFL contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2025-2025 Free Agent

Contract Terms:

1 yr(s) / $6,500,000

Average Salary:

$6,500,000

Signing Bonus:

$3,000,000

GTD at Sign:

$3,000,000

Total GTD:

$3,000,000

Free Agent:

2026 / UFA

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2021-2024 Rookie

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $5,192,616

Average Salary:

$1,298,154

Signing Bonus:

$1,136,448

GTD at Sign:

$1,136,448

Total GTD:

$1,136,448

Free Agent:

2025 / UFA

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Seasons

5 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$11,850,650

Earnings w/ Different Teams

1 team

Earnings Per Year

Year	Age	Status	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2021	21	Injured	$1,551,448	$1,551,448
2022	22	Active	$896,028	$2,447,476
2023	23	Active	$1,132,056	$3,579,532
2024	24	Active	$1,859,353	$5,438,885
2025	25	Active	$6,411,765	$11,850,650
Total			$11,850,650	$11,850,650
2026	26	Active	$12,500,000
2027	27	Active	$10,500,000
2028	28	Active	$11,500,000
Total			$46,350,650

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
5		$6,711,168	$4,136,448	-	-	$100,000	$491,269	$11,850,650

Year	Age	Base	Signing	Workout	Incentives	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2021	21	$415,000	$1,136,448			$1,551,448	$1,551,448
2022	22	$896,028				$896,028	$2,447,476
2023	23	$1,132,056				$1,132,056	$3,579,532
2024	24	$1,368,084			$491,269	$1,859,353	$5,438,885
2025	25	$2,900,000	$3,000,000	$100,000		$6,411,765	$11,850,650
Total		$6,711,168	$4,136,448	$100,000	$491,269	$11,850,650	$11,850,650
2026	26	$3,495,000	$8,750,000			$12,500,000
2027	27	$10,245,000				$10,500,000
2028	28	$11,245,000				$11,500,000
Total		$31,696,168	$12,886,448	$100,000	$491,269	$46,350,650

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
5		$6,711,168	$4,136,448	-	-	$100,000	$491,269	$11,850,650

Injuries

Year		Weeks	Reason
2021	CIN	1 - 18	Knee

Mar 09, 2026 Signed a 3 year $34.5 million contract with New York (NYJ)
Sep 19, 2025 Fined $11,593 Facemask against Jacksonville (JAX)
Mar 10, 2025 Signed a 1 year $6.5 million contract with Cincinnati (CIN)
Jun 02, 2021 Signed a 4 year $5.19 million contract with Cincinnati (CIN)
Apr 30, 2021 Drafted by Cincinnati (CIN): Round 3 (#69 overall)

Fines

Date		Reason		Fine Amount
Sep 19, 2025		Facemask against Jacksonville (JAX)		$11,593
Fines: 1				$11,593

Year	Team	GP	GS	Snaps	Snaps%	Sack	Tackles Total	Tackles Solo	Tackles Assisted	FFum
2025	CIN	14	9	616	55.50	5	43	21	22	2
2024	CIN	17	3	576	50.75	5	46	26	20	2
2023	CIN	14	0	177	16.28	1	10	6	4	0
2022	CIN	16	0	334	30.20	4	17	6	11	0

Calculated Market Value

$9.2M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

4 years, $36,786,584
Avg. Salary: $9,196,646
NFL Rank: 320

Current Contract

Free Agent: 2029
Avg. Salary: $11,500,000
NFL Rank: 264

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Joseph Ossai to.

Player	Length	Value	Avg. Salary	Age When Signed
Samson Ebukam	3	$24,000,000	$8,000,000	27
Michael Danna	3	$24,000,000	$8,000,000	26
Patrick Jones	2	$15,000,000	$7,500,000	26
Dayo Odeyingbo	3	$48,000,000	$16,000,000	25
Averages	3	$27,750,000	$9,875,000	26.0

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Ossai's current age (25), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length	Value	Avg. Salary
4	$36,576,272	$9,144,068

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Ossai statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP%, Tackles/Gm, Sacks/Gm, Stops/Gm, QB Hurries/Gm, Rating

Player	GP%	Tackles/Gm	Sacks/Gm	Stops/Gm	QB Hurries/Gm	Rating
Samson Ebukam 2021-2022	94.12	1.31	0.30	1.47	1.69	67.95
Michael Danna 2022-2023	85.29	1.41	0.40	1.66	1.83	67.20
Patrick Jones 2023-2024	94.12	1.25	0.25	1.25	1.12	46.90
Dayo Odeyingbo 2023-2024	100.00	1.03	0.32	1.29	1.03	61.50
Average	93.38	1.25	0.32	1.42	1.42	60.89
Joseph Ossai 2024-2025	91.18	1.52	0.32	1.19	1.45	61.15
Pct Change	-2.36	21.60	0.00	-16.20	2.11	0.43
Median Prime % Change						0.22%
Average Prime % Change						0.93%

Calculated Market Value: Joseph Ossai

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms	Avg. Salary
4 years, $36,786,584	$9,196,646

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