With Geno Smith showing inconsistency throughout his rookie season in New York, the Jets could use a veteran insurance plan in 2014. That could end up being Michael Vick, who is scheduled to visit the team this weekend.
NFL free agent roundup: Michael Vick visiting Jets, Chris Johnson trade market heating up
The Jets are hosting Vick this weekend, though that won’t allay Rex Ryan’s cornerback concerns. Meanwhile in Tennessee, the Titans are inching closer to moving on from Johnson.
This will be the first official free agent visit of the offseason for Vick, who the Philadelphia Eagles let walk following Nick Foles's propulsion into stardom last season. He's stated he wants to compete for a starting job, and it's likely he'll have that shot in New York, where Smith threw 12 touchdowns to 21 interceptions in 2013. Vick showed he still had ability last season, accounting for seven touchdowns in seven games before injuries and the emergence of Foles relegated him to the bench.
The Jets will have to consider the 33-year-old’s durability and turnover issues, which have ramped up over the past few seasons. After taking over as the Eagle’s starter in 2010, Vick played in no more than 13 games in each of the following four seasons, and racked up 31 turnovers in just two seasons between 2011 and ‘12.
Unfortunately for the Jets, there may not be any options on the market better than Vick. Jason Campbell, Rex Grossman, Josh Freeman, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Flynn are the only notable veterans still available.
A split between the Tennessee Titans and former 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson has been churning through the rumor mill for some time now, and the speculation has taken on new vigor with the recent report that multiple teams have expressed interest in trading for the Pro Bowl running back.
Faced with both Johnson’s declining production and his $10 million cap hit, the Titans need to unload him, but would prefer to do so by getting some compensation through a trade. Because he has no roster bonus due, the Titans have the luxury of taking their time to get a deal done. Johnson holds the trump card in any potential deal, however, as he’ll have to approve a new contract with a new suitor.
Signing Vick likely won’t be enough to appease Rex Ryan, who is reportedly perturbed about a hole on the other side of the ball. A friend of the Jets head coach said Ryan “is pissed” about the organization’s inability to add a legitimate cornerback in free agency.
The Jets lost out on a bidding war with the in-town rival Giants for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who, before his signing on Monday, was one of the last upper-level corners on the market. Darrelle Revis, Aqib Talib, Alterraun Verner and Walter Thurmond were among the top targets snatched up last week.
The Jets, who ranked 22nd in the league against the pass last season, released top corner Antonio Cromartie after a rough 2013, leaving Dee Milliner and Darrin Walls as the top options at the position.
The market has been quiet on Jones-Drew ever since he entered free agency, but he's visiting with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday and the New York Jets reportedly showed interest. The Steelers already have Le'Veon Bell entrenched as the starter, making Jones-Drew just a depth signing after the Steelers let Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman go.
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