AFC Notes: Jets, Patriots, Ravens

Jets

• The Athletic’s Connor Hughes lists LB Jordan Jenkins, LB Neville Hewitt, CB Brian Poole, S Rontez Miles, LB Brandon Copeland, CB Maurice Canady and P Lachlan Edwards as priorities for the Jets to re-sign. 
• Hughes writes the Jets could make a run at Cowboys WR Amari Cooper, who is expected by people around the league to receive the transition tag from the Cowboys, but he still expects Dallas to match any offer. 
• Other free-agent targets for the Jets could include Patriots G Joe Thuney, Ravens LB Matt Judon, Rams DE Dante Fowler, Lions G Graham Glasgow, Eagles CB Jalen Mills, Buccaneers WR Breshad Perriman or Colts WR Devin Funchess.
• Brian Costello reports that the Jets have hired Leigh Torrence as their new assistant DBs coach.

Patriots

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, both the Patriots and Tom Brady have mutually agreed that the quarterback will test free agency on March 18th. The two parties could have come to an agreement on an extension, but now Brady will be free to negotiate with teams on March 16th when the legal tampering period begins.

Rapaport spoke about the situation between both sides on NFL Network on Monday:

“From what I understand, (Patriots owner Robert) Kraft’s thinking on this is, if the sides come together, if Brady decided the Patriots were his best option after testing free agency and if Bill Belichick, who of course is making the decisions for New England, if he decides that Brady is his best option at this price, that … it will mean that it’s meant to be and it’s best for both sides,” 

Ravens 

• The Ravens struck gold when they re-signed S Chuck Clark to a three-year, $15.4 million extension that will pay him just over $5 million per year, says Albert Breer of SI. Clark, 24, is a versatile, former sixth-round pick who had 12 starts last season and played four different positions.
• Regarding his new deal, Clark said: “Just keep building and proving that I can be a top safety in this league.” (BaltimoreRavens.com)
• With Clark locked in for the next four years at $16 million, Breer mentions that this almost certainly means Baltimore will cut ties with S Tony Jefferson, saving the Ravens $7 million in cap space.