However his free agency plays out, New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff is about to get a big raise in pay.

A prep standout at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile, Huff made the Jets’ roster as an undrafted rookie from Memphis in 2020. The three-year, $2.3 million contract he signed when he joined the team expires at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday, when he would have become an unrestricted free agent.

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But because he has played three, and not four, seasons in the NFL, New York still held some control over what happens to Huff in his fourth season. The Jets have now made a qualifying offer to Huff, so he will become a restricted free agent on Wednesday afternoon when the NFL’s 2023 business year begins.

New York placed a second-round tender on Huff, which carries a salary of $4.304 million for the 2023 season if he returns to the team.

As a restricted free agent, Huff can negotiation with any NFL team until April 21. If Huff gets a better contract offer, the Jets have the option of matching it or receiving a second-round draft choice from the team that signs the defensive end.

According to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Huff led the NFL in pressure percentage for players with at least 150 pass rushes during the 2022 season.

During the 2022 season, Huff had 191 defensive snaps and 161 special-teams plays in 14 games and recorded 3.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits. He has 7.5 sacks in 37 NFL games.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.