For the past few weeks, the New York Jets have remained the favorite to land former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson. According to ESPN, the former 2,000-yard back has visited the Jets’ training facilities.
Former Titans RB Chris Johnson is visiting the Jets right now, per team sources who spotted him in the teams’ training facility.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 15, 2014
This sighting in the Big Apple comes just a week removed from his release from Tennessee. The Jets have been in the mix to sign Johnson even before he became a free agent, and reportedly believe a backfield tandem of him and Chris Ivory will revive Rex Ryan’s ground-and-pound attack. According to the New York Daily News, money will be the determining factor in whether the team signs Johnson.
New York is the first known visit since Johnson’s release.
Johnson has also been linked to the Atlanta Falcons, who have repeatedly stated they are not interested in the running back. The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills showed interest in Johnson prior to his release, though the Dolphins are likely out of the mix after adding veteran Knowshon Moreno.
Sidney Rice has finally received his medical clearance and surfaces to the top of the list of available free-agent wide receivers. Pro Football Talk expects Rice to sign a contract within the next few days, and according to reports, the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and his former club, the Seattle Seahawks, have shown interest.
Now that Sidney Rice has been cleared, don’t be surprised if he signs a contract within the next few days.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 14, 2014
After Rice’s release at the beginning of the offseason, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll previously told The Herald of Everett “maybe we have a chance to get them (Rice and Red Bryant) back.” Bryant signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars soon after, while teams have waited on the injured Rice to gain clearance.
Ride, who played college ball at South Carolina, could return close to home. According to Pro Football Talk, the Panthers are in the mix. Carolina lost Steve Smith, Ted Ginn Jr., and Brandon LaFell in free agency. Fellow NFC South powerhouse New Orleans also has interest, per the report. The Saints lost Lance Moore to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
The Giants are interested, but only to a certain degree, according to ESPN. Rice could be an option to replace the now-departed Hakeem Nicks alongside Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle.
