While finding a quarterback remains the biggest need for the New York Jets, the wide receiver position could use an overhaul as well. Last year, New York's top wideouts were both new to the team -- Eric Decker through free agency and Percy Harvin via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The Jets have a lot of resources committed to the duo, but the production they received in return wasn't enough. Now, they might be thinking about cutting Harvin, according to ESPN New York's Rich Cimini.
Jets could cut Percy Harvin, Magic Johnson interested in bringing NFL to LA, and other NFL news
Meanwhile, free agent Jerry Hughes wishes to remain in Buffalo.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Harvin is set to count $10.5 million against New York’s salary cap in 2015 if he remains with on the roster, roughly $4 million more than the team’s next most expensive wide receiver. That’s a lot of money for a player that has struggled with health throughout his career and has had two franchises give up on him in as many years.
The good news for the Jets is Harvin’s contract -- four years, $41.5 million remaining -- includes no guaranteed money. The team can cut the receiver and realize an eight-figure cap gain. While Harvin can still challenge a defense with his elite speed and playmaking skills, New York might be better served reallocating that money to other areas.
Magic wants NFL back in LA
Few professional athletes have enjoyed more success after retirement than Magic Johnson. After concluding his playing days, Johnson has become a savvy businessman. The basketball Hall of Famer now has an ownership stake in several Los Angeles teams, including the Dodgers, the Sparks and the new professional soccer team, LAFC. Now he wants to help bring the NFL back to his adoptive city, according to Jarrett Bell of USA Today.
“We helped the Dodgers rebound,” Johnson said during a visit to ESPN headquarters. “We’re No. 1 in attendance in baseball; we’ve been that for the last two years. So we know how to take a franchise, elevate it and also sell it to the fans in Los Angeles.
“That’s going to be important to whoever the owner is, to make sure they have someone locally to sell the team to the local market.”
Several teams are thought to have an eye on Los Angeles. Rams owner Stan Kroenke already announced plans to build a new stadium on property in Inglewood. Meanwhile, the Raiders are locked in a long-term standoff with the City of Oakland over the possibility of constructing a new venue. The Chargers might also consider a move from San Diego if their stadium situation doesn't change.
Johnson isn’t currently involved with any of those teams, but that could change if one of the franchises gets more serious about a move. “I know how to do it,” Johnson said. “Whether it’s me or somebody else, I think it’s important.”
Hughes wants to return to Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills haven't made the playoffs since 1999, but they came very close last season. Part of their success came from the improved play of the front seven. To maintain that success, the team must find a way to retain Jerry Hughes who hits free agency this offseason. According to the Bills' website, Hughes wants to return to Buffalo next season and help the franchise finally reach the postseason.
“You saw what we were able to do this season,” he said. “The group of guys we had, to be so close, you definitely want to come back and take another shot at it, to see how we fall out to next year. I mean I definitely want to be back.”
Hughes started his career with the Indianapolis Colts. After three disappointing seasons where he registered a combined five sacks, he joined the Bills and promptly put up 19.5 sacks in two years. Along with Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, Hughes helps give Buffalo one of the league's best pass rushes. That's certainly something the team doesn't want to lose.
Pacman kicked out of Indiana casino
Back when he was known as "Pacman," cornerback Adam Jones was known for making scenes in strip clubs. After serving a long suspension, Jones worked his way back into the league, first with the Dallas Cowboys and now with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the years since then, he's managed to stay mostly out of the news, though he was arrested after allegedly slapping a woman outside a nightclub in 2013. However, it appears his absence from the headlines is over once again. According to TMZ, Jones was kicked out of an Indiana casino after police were called to investigate an incident.
Stranger still, Jones posted this odd video on his Instagram account about the TMZ report:
It’s unclear exactly what happened in the casino, though the report claims Jones is a “regular” at the establishment. Jones joins an increasing list of NFL players that have had trouble with police since the end of the 2014 season.
Tampa Bay releases quarterback McCown
In a few months, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will make some player the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Most likely, that player will either be Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston or Oregon signal caller Marcus Mariota. With that in mind, the team announced the release of 2014 starter Josh McCown.
McCown joined Tampa Bay last offseason as a free agent. He played the year prior with the Chicago Bears, a team that also announced McCown's release via its Twitter account. McCown has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers. Though he's not starting material, McCown is a quality backup that should have offers if he wants to continue his NFL career.
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