As the coach of the Bills, Rex Ryan finds himself interacting with the team’s decision-makers in ways that he rarely did with the Jets over the last couple of years, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News writes. There’s no hidden agendas or anything else,” Ryan said. “This is who we are, this is what we want, and there isn’t anybody in this organization that doesn’t want anything other than building a championship team.” Here’s more from the AFC..
- Greg Jennings has been connected to the Raiders thanks to his relationship with GM Reggie McKenzie and the team’s need for a wide receiver, but there has been no word of any interest on that front, Bill Williamson of ESPN.com tweets. On Twitter earlier tonight, Jennings indicated that he’ll disclose his next team at midnight CT. The Panthers, Jaguars, and Dolphins have all been linked to the former Viking.
- The Texans are now in discussions with versatile defensive lineman Antonio Smith, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle previously reported that Houston had interest in a reunion. Smith, 33, was released by the Raiders on Tuesday afternoon. Things could move quickly between Smith and Houston, Rapoport adds.
- Smith wouldn’t be returning to the role he previously played for the Texans, which was being a starting defensive end, opposite J.J. Watt. A year later, however, he could be more amenable to that sub-package role in which Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel would like to use him, Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com writes. She adds that Smith has an affinity for Houston, which could help pave the way for him to return as a third-down pass-rusher.
- While the Chiefs could create $5.2MM in cap savings by releasing linebacker Derrick Johnson, team chairman Clark Hunt doesn’t expect the veteran to go anywhere, writes Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. “There will be a point in time where we address [his contract],” Hunt said. “But it just hasn’t been germane to this point.”
Luke Adams contributed to this post.