NFL Notes: Bengals, Bills, Broncos, Jets & Texans

Bengals

Bengals HC Marvin Lewis confirmed that they will have an option competition at kicker next year.

“I think we are up in the air right now,” Lewis said, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN. “That’s what I told Randy [Bullock]. I know where we are. I know Randy has ability and talent, but yes, we will have a competition. We cannot go through what we went through this year.”

Bills

• Albert Breer mentions that if the Bills cut QB Tyrod Taylor in the coming months, the NFL Players Association would argue he’s entitled to the $27.5 million he’s owed for 2017, given that this money is guaranteed for injury and Taylor underwent hip surgery today.
• The Bills owe Taylor a $15.5 million option bonus on March 12, so the team could face issues in terms of waiting to release him.
• Breer points out that if the Bills pick up Taylor’s option, they’ll pay him both the $15.5 million bonus and his $12 million base salary, considering that the option also guarantees his 2017 salary.

Broncos

• Dolphins DC Vance Joseph said he hasn’t spoken to the Broncos yet regarding their head-coaching vacancy. (James Walker)

Jets

• Jets owner Woody Johnson said of HC Todd Bowles: “I have confidence in Todd Bowles…I’m still very in his corner…I think he’s going to get better. I’m happy to have him.“
• In regards to their plans to rebuild the team, Johnson said: “We’re going to build the team through the draft. We’ll use the draft primarily and free agency/trades judiciously.” (Eric Allen)
• Jets GM Mike Maccagnan said that “all options are on the table” when comes to the possibility of adding veteran a veteran quarterback. (Rich Cimini)
• In regards to QB Christian Hackenberg, Maccagnan said: “We like Christian as a prospect.” (Kimberly A. Martin)

Texans

• After speaking to people around the NFL, Albert Breer mentions that it wouldn’t be a stunner to see the Texans part ways with HC Bill O’Brien after the season.
• Breer confirms that the relationship between O’Brien and GM Rick Smith has “never been perfect” and it’s possible that owner Bob McNair could look to remodel the organization.
• Should O’Brien become available, Breer says that he would be on every team’ss list of candidates almost immediately.
  Breer ultimately believes it would be a big mistake for the Texans to let O’Brien go based on what he’s been able to accomplish, despite the team’s quarterback issues.