NFL Notes: Cowboys, Jets, Ravens & Redskins

Cowboys

• Ian Rapoport reports that the Cowboys won’t rest their starters, even if they have nothing to play for moving forward. A team source tells Rapoport: “We’ll still play our guys.”
• If there ends up being a situation where they sit QB Dak Prescott, Rapoport mentions that they still may not turn to Tony Romo and Dallas could instead “keep him safe until necessary.“

Jets

Jets owner Woody Johnson is reportedly a leading contender to be the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Assuming Johnson secures the position, Ian Rapoport reports that the expectation would be for Johnson to conclude it would not be “practical” to run the team on a day-to-day basis. According to Rapoport, this opens a real possibility that someone else could handle team operations during the 2017 season and beyond.

• Rich Cimini mentions that changes are expected for Todd Bowles‘ coaching staff, even though it’s likely he’ll return for the 2017 season. According to Cimini, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey could be on the hot seat after the season.
• A source tells Cimini that this season has been “incredibly hard” on Jets veteran C Nick Mangold, who has battled through injuries, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him retire next year. It’s also possible the Jets could move on from him after the season and take the cap savings.

Ravens

• Jason La Canfora writes that Ravens TE Dennis Pitta is in line to max out the incentives included in his contract and earn back the money he gave up as part of a restructured contract he agreed to upon returning to the Ravens.
• The two parties agreed to reduce his 2016 from $5 million to $1 million and add $3 million in incentives.
• Beyond that, Pitta is in line to earn another $2 million in incentives by playing 50 percent of the team’s snaps this season.

Redskins

Despite some reports (NFLTR) that the Eagles would be interested in bringing current Redskins WR DeSean Jackson back next year, he says he’s focused on finishing out this season with Washington.

“Who knows what happens in free agency,” Jackson said, via ESPN.com. “If I’m a free agent, I might seek some options and wherever it takes me, it takes me. It’s not my focus now. We have four games left here. Whatever happens, happens at the end of the season.

“Anything else doesn’t matter,” Jackson added. “Go in there and handle our business. … It’s definitely fun playing there. That’s where I started my career, so it’s always been fun.”