NFL Notes: Calvin Johnson, Jets, Rams & Redskins

Calvin Johnson

Former Lions WR Calvin Johnson reiterated he has no plans to return to the NFL after announcing his retirement several months ago.

“I’m not coming back, man,” Johnson tells ESPN. “Look, man. I got stuff that’s going to hurt for the rest of my life. I got a finger that’s literally bone-on-bone. This bad boy, it gets smaller. The more and more I do, it grinds bone-on-bone.

“Literally from last year, I went this year to get another X-Ray and this is after I retired, I knew it was messed up but I didn’t know to what degree because it was hurt.”

Jets

• Jets HC Todd Bowles announced Wednesday that Bryce Petty (chest) will be their starting quarterback for their Week 16 matchup with the Patriots.
• Bowles mentioned that G Brian Winters (shoulder, I.R.) has a rotator cuff injury that is expected to require surgery. (Rich Cimini)

Rams

• Vincent Bonsignore reports that there are “strong indications” that the Rams’ coaching search is forced on NFL assistants such as Kyle Shanahan and Josh McDaniels.

Redskins

Ben Standig of Breaking Burgundy has spoken to multiple league sources who believe WR Pierre Garcon is the “best bet” to receive a contract extension from Washington during the offseason.

Standig mentions that Garcon could still have suitors and is unlikely to take a hometown discount to be back with the Redskins next year. In fact, sources tell Standig that Garcon could command around $9 million per year in a multi-year agreement on the open market.

While that may seem like a lot of money, an NFC front office executive pointed out to Standig that it’s really not when you consider that the Rams locked up WR Tavon Austin to a four-year, $42 million contract with $28.5 million guaranteed.

“When guys of Tavon Austin‘s productivity level are getting in excess of 10 million a year, it shows you where the WR market is,” said the executive.