Geno Smith probably wants to put lots of work in during the Jets‘ voluntary offseason program, but he also has financial incentive to do so, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes. Smith’s contract includes a clause that ties about 32 percent of his 2015 compensation to offseason attendance and he must put in a minimum number of workouts to earn the bonus. Of course, beyond the money, Smith needs to prove himself this season given the mounting criticism and the presence of Ryan Fitzpatrick behind him. Here’s more from the AFC East..
- LeSean McCoy hasn’t spoken to Chip Kelly since the trade that sent him to the Bills, but he has his own theory as to why he was shipped out, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “I don’t think he likes or respects the stars. I’m being honest,” McCoy said on Monday. “I think he likes the fact that it’s ‘Chip Kelly and the Eagles.’ ” McCoy set a franchise record with 1,607 rushing yards in 2013, but apparently wasn’t the right fit for Kelly’s offense. He was replaced this offseason in Philadelphia by Cowboys star DeMarco Murray.
- Muhammad Wilkerson‘s situation illustrates how fast things change in the NFL, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap writes. It was rumored last year that he and former Jets GM John Idzik had worked on paramters of a new deal and the sides were somewhat close on an extension. Now, there’s obviously a significant gulf between the two sides and it’s not clear when or if it might be bridged.
- Wilkerson deserves to cash in big, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News opines. The Jets star defensive lineman played the good soldier last year, hoping his big pay day would come as other standouts got their pay days. However, that didn’t happen and he was forced to take a stand this year during voluntary workouts.