Mason Taylor’s Jets Contract Still Pending as Negotiations Continue

As of early June 2025, tight end Mason Taylor remains the only unsigned rookie from the New York Jets’ 2025 draft class. The Jets selected Taylor with the No. 42 overall pick in the second round of the NFL Draft, but his contract has not been finalized due to a disagreement over guaranteed money.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that only two of the 32 second-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft have signed contracts as of Friday. The two signed players are linebacker Carson Schwesinger, selected by the Cleveland Browns, and wide receiver Jayden Higgins, drafted by the Houston Texans. Both received fully guaranteed contracts. These are the first fully guaranteed deals ever given to second-round picks. This new development has influenced Taylor and other unsigned second-rounders to seek similar guarantees.

Taylor has fully participated in the Jets’ voluntary offseason workouts despite not having a signed contract. In contrast, Shemar Stewart, the 17th overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, has skipped all of Cincinnati’s organized team activities while waiting on his contract.

Taylor played three seasons at LSU, starting as a freshman in the Southeastern Conference. He caught a pass in 37 of his 38 career games. In 2024, during his junior season, he recorded 55 receptions for 546 yards and two touchdowns. He holds the LSU record for most receptions by a tight end in a single season with 55. He also ranks third (38) and fourth (36) on LSU’s all-time single-season receptions list for tight ends.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic gave first-round grades to only three tight ends in the 2025 draft class: Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, and Mason Taylor. Warren and Loveland were selected within the top 14 picks. Taylor, chosen at No. 42, was the last of the three off the board. Brugler described Taylor as athletic, with reliable hands and the ability to adjust to off-target throws. He noted Taylor’s consistency in catching passes in traffic, his smooth route running, and his quick ability to turn upfield after the catch. Brugler also cited Taylor’s strength in blocking, particularly on the perimeter, and his understanding of leverage and positioning.

Taylor is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor and the nephew of Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. Jason Taylor was selected No. 73 overall in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He played 15 seasons in the NFL, including 13 with the Dolphins, one with Washington, and one with the Jets. Zach Thomas was picked No. 154 overall in the fifth round of the 1996 draft by Miami and played 13 seasons, 12 with the Dolphins and one with the Dallas Cowboys.

Mason Taylor is beginning his career in the same division where his father and uncle played for a rival team, stating that he models his approach on their work ethic and values the connection to their legacies. He is not seeking to separate his identity from theirs but views it as part of his background.

At the Jets rookie minicamp, Taylor wore jersey No. 46, a number not commonly associated with tight ends. He has not expressed any special attachment to the number and said he is focused on playing, not on uniform details.

Mike Sando of The Athletic reported that an anonymous NFL executive said they preferred Taylor over Tyler Warren. The executive said Taylor’s ability to separate as a pass catcher makes him a better value in today’s NFL unless a tight end is elite at contested catches.

The Jets have two weeks of organized team activities remaining, followed by a mandatory three-day minicamp. After that, there is a six-week break before training camp begins in late July. This time frame gives both the Jets and Taylor’s representatives a window to resolve the contract issue.