The Jets made an offer to Erin Henderson, then told him he could hear others from other teams on the open market.

Unfortunately for New York, one of those teams who has reached out to the versatile linebacker is one who has some of the most cap space in the NFL.

According to a source with close knowledge of the situation, the Oakland Raiders expressed interest in Henderson on the opening day of the legal tampering period.

The source asked not to be identified because he isn’t authorized to speak on behalf of the Raiders.

Henderson, 29, enjoyed a bounce-back year with the Jets following a year off to get his life together. After off-the-field issues led to his release from the Minnesota Vikings in 2013, Henderson returned to the field a new player last year, but with every bit the skill that led to him being labeled one of the NFL’s better from 2008-2012.

After playing primarily special teams through the first 11 weeks of the season, the Jets began to work Henderson into their regular base defense beginning Week 12. Quickly, Henderson began to show Jets coach Todd Bowles he likely should have been on the field quite a bit earlier.

In the final five weeks of the regular season, Henderson recorded 34 tackles. He displayed the sideline-to-sideline speed that was so often on display during his time with the Vikings, and was equally effective against the run and pass.

In the Jets regular season finale against the Bills, Henderson recorded 11 tackles, seven of them solo.

The Jets have made it known to Henderson that they want to bring him back, envisioning he and David Harris as the team’s two starters in 2016. To this point though, the Jets and their limited funds have yet to agree to a number.

With the Raiders one of the teams interested in Henderson’s services, it certainly doesn’t bode well for a potential bidding war.

New York has the least amount of cap space of any team in the league. The Raiders, with $60 million, have the third-most, and could use a linebacker.

With this being just the beginning of the NFL’s legal tampering period, even if the Raiders were ready to offer a contract to Henderson, they couldn’t. No official deal can be agreed on until the new league year begins March 9.

But if Oakland does have their sights set on Henderson? Well, they certainly have the financial ability to swoon him away.

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Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for the USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. He can be reached on Twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes), or via email (chughes@usatoday.com)