NFL ROUNDUP
AP source: Jets releasing ex-Lions OL Tomlinson
The New York Jets are releasing durable veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.
The 32-year-old Tomlinson spent the last two seasonswith New York and started every game, but his release — which was not a total surprise — will save the Jets about $8.1 million in cap space this offseason.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday night because the team hadn’t announced the move. ESPN first reported the Jets’ plan to release Tomlinson.
General manager Joe Douglas will focus on revamping the offensive line in the offseason while trying to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to be healthy after missing all but four snaps with a torn left Achilles tendon. Tippmann and versatile guard/tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker, who missed all but five games with a torn Achilles tendon, are the only certain returning starters.
Tomlinson was one of Douglas’ big freeagent signings two years ago, bringing in the one-time Pro Bowl selection on a three-year, $40 million contract in 2022. But Tomlinson, who has started 114 consecutive games dating to 2017, struggled at times — along with the rest of the ever-changing O-line beside him.
Tomlinson was due to count $18.9 million on the Jets’ salary cap next season. He’ll count $10.7 million in dead money for New York.
The 28th overall pick by Detroit out of Duke in 2015, Tomlinson spent his first two seasons with the Lions before being traded to San Francisco just before the 2017 season. He was mostly solid in five years with the 49ers and was selected to his only Pro Bowl during the 2021 season.
Broncos coach Payton hints at moving on from QB Wilson
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Sean Payton isn’t providing anything definitive on Russell Wilson’s time in Denver but he did hint at the Broncos moving on from him when he suggested the team cannot afford to miss on “the next one” at quarterback.
Payton met with the media at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday and said the club should know by the end of next week what direction they’ll take at QB.
Asked if he embraced the idea of finding a solution at quarterback, one that’s eluded coaches and GMs ever since Peyton Manning retired eight years ago, Payton retorted, “Yeah, we better. In this league, which is very competitive in our division, it’s vital.”
Payton then relayed a funny meme that caught his attention recently.
“There’s a Broncos fan with a shirt on with like eight quarterbacks’ names crossed through them and he’s drinking the quarterback ‘Kool-Aid,’” Payton said. “Our job is to make sure this next one doesn’t have a line through it.”
The next one.
That sounds as though Wilson’s time in Denver might be over, something that’s seemed imminent since he was benched for Jarrett Stidham the last two weeks of the season.
The Broncos have delved into the free agency class of quarterbacks and will meet with the college passing prospects at the combine this week.
Wilson, who has won just 11 of 30 starts with the Broncos since his trade from Seattle two years ago, said over the weekend that he hopes to return to Denver in 2024.