AFC East Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

• ESPN’s Rich Cimini says that the current collective bargaining agreement makes the Jets situation with CB Trumaine Johnson quite interesting. A new CBA would benefit New York, given that they could designate him as a post-June 1 release, which would spread out Johnson’s cap hit to $4 million in 2020 and $8 million in 2021.
• Cimini notes that Johnson’s cap hit for the 2020 season is $12 million and the Jets will have until March 20 before his salary becomes fully guaranteed.
• Cimini also expects S Jamal Adams to look for a record-breaking contract extension with the Jets.
• As for WR Robby Anderson, Cimini believes the team does not want to lose him, as they need fast receivers and losing Anderson would be a step back. 
• According to Cimini, the conditional 2021 fifth-round choice the Jets received in the Leonard Williams trade would improve to a fourth-round pick if Williams re-signs with the Giants before the start of the league year. 
• Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes that Robby Anderson’s return to the Jets seems like a “50-50 proposition at best.“
• Mehta says it’s tough to see the Jets signing him for $12-14 million per year, considering that they have many needs and there’s a deep receiver draft class this year.
• In a separate article, Mehta says the Jets would like to bring back guard Alex Lewis at the right price.
• Mehta wonders how much the Jets are willing to offer LT Kelvin Beachum, who was their best offensive lineman last year, to return.

Patriots

Former Patriots OC Charlie Weis predicts that Tom Brady will wind up with the Chargers.

“I think the best fit is New England,” Weis said, via the Boston Herald. “I know everyone is talking about the Raiders, but the place that makes the most sense is the Chargers. And it makes the most sense for the wrong reason …  it’s not like they don’t have talent there. But they’re not selling any seats. They’re going into a new stadium, with very few fans … and they’re the renters, not the owners of the stadium. So they need a splash.

“If I was the Chargers, I’d be offering him everything to get him. He’ll give the team the best chance of winning, and he’ll sell seats.”

• Mike Reiss of ESPN noted that Patriots HC Bill Belichick appeared at Middle Tennessee State, working out DE/OLB Tyshun Render.
• Reiss also says that he believes Belichick will approach QB Tom Brady to initiate the conversation about a possible return to New England.
• Patriots CB Justin Bethel is recovering from shoulder surgery, according to Reiss. Bethel played a significant role for New England on special teams last season.