Free Agency Notes: Jets, Giants, Lions

It’s been a busy couple of days for coaching moves. Our head coaching tracker shows that five of the six vacancies have been filled, with the 49ers remaining as the only team with a head coach opening.

Of course, we wouldn’t blame you if you’ve been itching for some tidbits concerning actual players. So let’s take a look at some notes pertaining to free agency…

  • With the Jets‘ offseason looming, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY takes a look at which of the team’s impending free agents should be re-signed. The writer lists offensive guard Brian Winters as a priority, and he notes that he’d re-sign quarterback Geno Smith, offensive tackle Ben Ijalana, and long snapper Tanner Purdum if the price was right. Meanwhile, Vacchiano lists quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as “likely gone.”
  • After some “maneuvering,” ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan tweets that the Giants could have nearly $40MM in cap room this offseason. The Giants have a number of key players reaching free agency this summer, including defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, and cornerback Coty Sensabaugh.
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press believes the Lions need to add “playmakers” this offseason. However, coach Jim Caldwell said those flashy additions are not necessary. “I don’t think (we need one) because I just think that you find a lot of teams that have an abundance of what you call quote-unquote superstars and they function dysfunctionally as a team,” Caldwell said. “I think that we’re more interested in what kind of team that we build. That’s the thing that’s most important to me. It’s how we function as a team.”
  • While the Raiders would presumably like to be players in free agency, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com writes that several contract extensions are “looming” over the organization. Both quarterback Derek Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack are eligible for new deals, and the organization will surely have to pay to retain the star duo.
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