Tae Hayes, a cornerback for the New York Jets, was released by the team on Monday after being arrested for marijuana possession in Alabama. Hayes, 26, originally from Decatur, Alabama, was taken into custody early Sunday morning. He was booked at 3:46 a.m. and released on a $300 bond less than two hours later. The possession charge is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor.
Alabama law permits the use of marijuana for medical purposes but does not decriminalize it for other uses. The Jets have not made any public comments regarding Hayes’ release. However, a team spokesperson did acknowledge the arrest on Sunday, stating that the organization was aware of the situation but would not comment further due to the legal proceedings.
Hayes’ prospects of securing a spot on the Jets’ roster were slim. He joined the Jets’ practice squad on October 3rd of last year and played a minor role in a surprising win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Hayes spent the remainder of the season on the practice squad and subsequently re-signed with the Jets on a one-year contract.
Hayes has been with several NFL teams since his professional career began in 2019. He has played for the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and Carolina Panthers, appearing in a total of 14 games throughout his career.