Woody Johnson denies report of heated argument with Robert Saleh

Woody Johnson strongly denied any report of a heated argument with Robert Saleh at the annual league meeting

Jets owner Woody Johnson took to Twitter/X Thursday to deny recent reports that he and head coach Robert Saleh had a heated argument during the Annual League Meeting in Orlando.

Earlier in the week, NFL Network’s Colleen Wolfe reported that Johnson and Saleh got into a “very heated argument” and things got “awkward”.

“I will say, from a very reliable source at the owners meetings, there was a very heated conversation between Woody and Robert Saleh, to the point where it was a little awkward,” Wolfe said Tuesday. (H/T CBS Sports)

Johnson is now telling fans to disregard that report, sharing the following message on Twitter.

SNY’s Connor Hughes also reported Wednesday night there was no such verbal argument between the two sides.

Johnson more or less gave Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas a “playoffs or bust” ultimatum for this season without actually coming right out and saying that.

All that said, the hopes of the Jets having a quiet offseason, while always unlikely, have quickly dashed yet again. Between Aaron Rodgers almost becoming a vice presidential candidate to Johnson first saying the Jets didn’t have a backup quarterback to walking those comments back and calling Zach Wilson a “valuable asset”. Now they have this to add to their plate. Just another typical offseason in Florham Park.

Report: Panthers had chance to match Jets’ offer to Mike Williams

According to The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers had an opportunity to match the Jets’ offer to WR Mike Williams.

There’s no denying that the Carolina Panthers had some interest in new New York Jets receiver Mike Williams. But we might have to put an emphasis on the “some” part.

Last week, Williams and Gang Green agreed to terms on a one-year, $15 million deal. The pact was reached after the free-agent wideout also reportedly met with the Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Well, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers may have had the chance to actually secure a homecoming for the Vance, S.C. native . . .

Since Kaye’s post, Jets head coach Robert Saleh stated that Williams—who sustained an ACL tear in Week 3 of the 2023 campaign—still has to tackle his path to recovery.

“He’s got a long way to go,” Saleh told reporters from the Annual League Meeting. “He’s on the same timeline that Breece [Hall] had. They’re very similar injuries, same timeframe. Speaking with Mike, he knows he’s got a road to trek, but at the same time, if he does it the right way, we’re very confident that we’ll have them ready for Week 1.”

Williams carries an extensive injury history with him to New York. 2017’s seventh overall pick, who has played just one full pro season, appeared in 16 of a possible 34 games for the Los Angeles Chargers over the last two years.

So perhaps the Panthers might’ve had some pause on the 29-year-old, especially with that type of money on the table.

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Giants may conduct joint practices with Lions in 2024

The New York Giants and Detroit Lions have discussed potential plans for joint training camp practices for the second straight season.

The New York Giants and Detroit Lions held joint practice during training camp in 2023 and are looking to run that back in 2024.

While speaking to reporters at the Annual League Meeting this past Tuesday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed that he’s spoken to Giants head coach Brian Daboll about linking up once again.

“That’s not in stone,” Campbell said, via the Detroit Free Press. “Because I said this last year and I know Mr. (John) Mara got on me like, ‘Hey, this thing’s already out.’ So there’s a chance. I don’t know if it’s going to get done or not, but we’ve been talking about it just because we wanted to reciprocate the fact they came to us, we wanted to give it to them.”

The Giants visited Allen Park for two joint practices last year ahead of a preseason game at Ford Field. This time around, as Campbell alludes, the practices would be held in East Rutherford.

Since teams are only permitted to request a single preseason opponent, these discussions would indicate that both the Giants and Lions have asked the league to pair them up once again.

Still, Campbell, who is a former Giant himself, would like to have joint practice in back-to-back weeks just as they had done last year.

“I would love to do two weeks again like we did last year,” Campbell said. “It’ll be predicted on who that is and whether we go to them or they come to us. But yeah, I’m all for it.”

Meanwhile, the Giants held joint practices with the New York Jets in 2022 but had their plans for 2023 canceled. At the time of that cancellation, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said the two sides would revisit those discussions in 2024.

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Jadeveon Clowney explains why he’s choosing to sign with Panthers

In a call with CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, Jadeveon Clowney and his wife Najah explained why he’s coming back home to play for the Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers were the clear underdog in the fight to sign free-agent outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. But the odds were defied on Wednesday, and their keys to the upset victory were highlighted by the man himself.

As announced this afternoon, the former No. 1 overall pick and three-time Pro Bowler has agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with the Panthers. Shortly after, CBS Sports senior NFL insider Josina Anderson got in touch with Clowney—who said the following about his decision:

“We’re going to be just 30 minutes from home. It’s where we do all our community and foundation work going into season 11. Plus, my Grandaddy is getting older; and last year we had a lot of losses in our family. So honestly, it just feels like a full circle moment being closer.”

Clowney was born in Rock Hill, S.C. on Feb. 14, 1993. After attending South Pointe High School, he played three seasons of college football for the University of South Carolina.

Anderson also heard from Jadeveon’s wife, Najah—who revealed this interesting nugget:

“He spoke with Ravens. He also liked his visit with Jets. Both places were fits, but the Panthers pursued the hardest. This is a special day for us.”

The New York Jets were perceived as the favorites to sign the 31-year-old pass rusher. Clowney also could’ve gone back to Baltimore—where he just turned in one of the very best seasons of his 10-year NFL career.

But, in the end, he chose family over immediate contention.

Oh, and the fact that the two-year contract can be worth up to $24 million probably didn’t hurt either.

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Jets miss out on Jadeveon Clowney, pass-rusher signs with Panthers

Jadeveon Clowney is joining the Panthers

The Jets were hoping to land edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney to help fill the void left by the loss of Bryce Huff. That dream ended Wednesday as Clowney will sign with the Carolina Panthers.

This comes just days after general manager Joe Douglas told reporters the Jets had an “outstanding” visit with Clowney, but the Panthers likely talked Clowney into joining them with extra money. The deal is for two years and $20 million with a maximum value of $24 million.

The Jets now remain in the market for an edge-rusher to join Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald and Micheal Clemons. Clowney would have added more firepower following his 9.5-sack season, but Clowney also now has the chance to go back near home. He is from Rock Hill, South Carolina and played his college football for the Gamecocks.

Giants owner not ready to sign off on all-grass surface for MetLife

Giants CEO John Mara on the possibility of MetLife switching to a grass field: “We’re not there yet.”

Earlier this year, we learned that MetLife Stadium would host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final and that a grass field would be installed to meet FIFA standards.

So, if that’s the case, why can’t the New York Giants and New York Jets — who play their home games at MetLife — play on grass, too?

“We’re not there yet,” Giants CEO John Mara told reporters at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Florida, on Monday when asked about changing the surface to grass.

“I want to get to the point where the experts can tell us that late in the season we can have a safe, playable grass field, and when we get to that point, then maybe we’ll make the switch.”

Another reason is the teams just invested in a new, more player-friendly artificial surface (FieldTurf Core HD) before the 2023 season.

MetLife switched from UBU Speed S5-M as a result of the unusually high number of injuries incurred by players on the old surface over the 13 years since it opened in 2010.

At the Super Bowl, Jets owner Woody Johnson said that he and Mara spoke “once a week” about switching to an all-grass field but the logistics and other feasibility factors, such as weather, were not in their favor.

MetLife Stadium is a year-round venue that hosts large events ranging from sporting events to world-class concerts and entertainment. Maintaining a grass field would be challenging with all of that use.

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Jets say ‘our door is always open’ for WR Corey Davis

The Jets aren’t ruling out bringing back Corey Davis.

A reunion between the Jets and wide receiver Corey Davis is not out of the question.

Davis recently applied for reinstatement to the NFL. He was released by the Jets, as the team had still controlled his rights, thus making him a free agent but the Jets have not ruled out bringing Davis back to the team.

“Our door is always going to be open for him,” head coach Robert Saleh said Monday at the Annual League Meeting in Orlando, noting that the team has been in “constant contact” with Davis.

Davis stepped away from football back in August after six seasons in the NFL, the last two with the Jets. In those two seasons, Davis caught 66 passes for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. Before joining the Jets in 2021, Davis spent the first four seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans.

The Jets added former Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams in free agency earlier this month but can still use another wide receiver. Allen Lazard, Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson are among those currently competing for the No. 3 role. Davis would bring more size to the outside.

The Jets would seem to welcome Davis back with open arms if things work out. The team will continue to explore their options to upgrade the wide receiver room.

Woody Johnson calls Zach Wilson ‘valuable asset’, will keep QB if no trade

Woody Johnson had a little change of heart when it comes to quarterback Zach Wilson.

The saga surrounding the New York Jets and a potential trade of quarterback Zach Wilson took another interesting turn Monday from the mouth of owner Woody Johnson.

Speaking to reporters at the Annual League Meeting in Orlando, Johnson was asked about Wilson and called him a “valuable asset”. Johnson did also note that a change of scenery could benefit Wilson but said the team will keep Wilson if they cannot find a trade partner. They will not straight release him. “If we don’t trade him, we will keep him,” Johnson said. The Jets get no cap relief from cutting Wilson. Trading him would shift his $5.5 million in 2024 compensation to the acquiring team, unless the Jets agree to take on some of the money themselves.

Johnson’s comments are him essentially walking back his comments last month at the NFL Honors about Wilson in which he said the Jets “didn’t have a backup quarterback last year.” The comes as the options of teams for the Jets to trade Wilson to are dwindling fast.

Among the moves made involving likely backup quarterbacks include the Arizona Cardinals trading for Desmond Ridder from the Atlanta Falcons and Mitch Trubisky going back to the Buffalo Bills after a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who now have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Via ESPN’s Rich Cimini:

“I feel badly about Zach in some ways because last year it would’ve been a great — it would’ve been the first time he could just sit back and watch a master at work, and he’s never had that,” Johnson said. “He’s been in the fire from Day 1, and I think that’s what he needs. He needs to be in a place where he can observe for a while. He’s got the skill. He can do everything. There’s a reason we drafted him No. 2 overall, and I have confidence that he’ll get there at some point.”

The Jets are still expected to tinker with the quarterback room, perhaps taking one on the third day of the draft in April. The team signed Tyrod Taylor to back up Aaron Rodgers this season. General manager Joe Douglas also said during the Scouting Combine he has given Wilson’s representation permission to seek a trade.

Douglas also said Monday in Orlando there have been talks with teams regarding Wilson but “nothing is close”.

Panthers ‘keeping in touch’ with free-agent OLB Jadeveon Clowney

Don’t count the Panthers out of the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes.

The New York Jets aren’t the only team planning to remain active in the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes.

On Monday, Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan spoke with reporters on a Zoom call from the NFL’s Annual League Meeting in Orlando, Fla. And with his team still needing to add some pass-rushing prowess to their defense, he said they’re still in on the three-time Pro Bowler.

Clowney, a Rock Hill, S.C. native, visited with the Panthers back on March 14. Following his stop in Carolina, the former No. 1 overall pick then went to see the Jets—who he, per Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz, has “remained in constant contact” with since.

The 31-year-old is fresh off one of the most productive campaigns in his pro tenure. Clowney recorded 9.5 sacks, his most since 2017, and a career-high 71 pressures for the Baltimore Ravens, who are also reportedly interested in his services for 2024.

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Jerry Jones: Jets’ incentives for Tyron Smith would have ‘really wrecked’ Cowboys financially

From @ToddBrock24f7: The Cowboys owner claims that the $20M Smith could earn in New York was just too much and compared his departure to another Cowboys legend.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once famously said that there was no check too big for him to write in pursuit of another world championship.

But as it turns out, there is: the one he might have had to write to Tyron Smith.

Jones made a surprising claim to reporters over the weekend at the league meetings in Orlando, addressing for the first time the departure of the eight-time Pro Bowler. The 33 year-old, who was the club’s first-round draft pick in 2011, left in free agency to sign last week with the New York Jets.

His loss- both at left tackle and in the locker room- will be a major obstacle for the 2024 Cowboys to try to overcome. Jones likened the situation to 2014, when the team released longtime defensive standout DeMarcus Ware after nine seasons.

“We both hated it,” Jones said, per David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.

Ware went on to win a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos and ultimately make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was also named to the Cowboys Ring of Honor last season.

Smith seems to be on a similar track, although the Super Bowl ring is very much up in the air.

But so is Smith’s compensation for 2024, thanks to an incentive-laden contract that ultimately made the prospect of keeping the offensive tackle too expensive for the world’s most valuable sports franchise.

Smith is slated to earn $6.5 million guaranteed this season, an absolute bargain for a lineman of his rare abilities. But the rest of Smith’s paycheck will come from bonuses based on how many snaps he plays, whether he makes the Pro Bowl, and how many playoff wins the Jets can rack up.

If Smith meets every single one of the contractual mile markers? Very unlikely, but it would bring the grand total to $20 million for one season.

“You know how highly he is thought of by us,” Jones said. “[But] We can’t afford that. We can’t afford that. If he makes all of these incentives and things like that, we would be really wrecked.”

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That’s a hard pill to swallow, coming from an owner who has always- publicly, anyway- prided himself on being able to find a way to retain any player he’s truly wanted to keep.

But like Ware before him (and even Emmitt Smith a decade before that), Tyron Smith will now wear another team’s uniform because Jones has decided to gamble that the Cowboys got the best years out of him and is unwilling to pony up for what could- but probably won’t- turn into an obscenely overpriced farewell tour.

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