Chris Johnson, Michael Vick Reportedly Not Expected to Be Retained by Jets

With the New York Jets new general manager and coaching staff looking to make over the roster in their image, quarterback Michael Vick and running back Chris Johnson are not expected to be back with the team in 2015. 

According to Kristian Dyer of New York's Metro newspaper, Johnson is expected to be released in the coming days:

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Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a league source tells Metro New York that the Jets appear set to let go running back Chris Johnson as well as quarterback Michael Vick. Johnson, arrested in January in Florida on weapons charges, is on a two-year contract with the Jets but the source said that 'he is to be released in the next couple of days.'

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As for Vick, citing a source, Dyer writes that "the Jets right now are going to let him test free agency." He did note that one source suggested the door to New York isn't entirely closed, but any potential contract offer will likely depend on what happens in free agency and the draft. 

The Johnson situation has to be resolved soon, as Dom Cosentino of NJ.com reported the Jets have until February 16 before the 29-year-old running back is due to make a $500,000 roster bonus. 

Johnson's first year in New York was a disappointment as he failed to break the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time in his career. He only had 155 carries for 663 yards and one rushing touchdown in 2014. His legal problems, the January arrest mentioned by Dyer, makes it hard to justify keeping him around. 

As for Vick, he's 34 years old and also coming off a bad season. The veteran quarterback had the second-worst completion percentage of his career (52.9) in 10 games and averaged a career-worst 4.99 yards per attempt. 

Given Vick's athleticism and scrambling ability, not to mention the dearth of backup quarterbacks around the league, he seems likely to attract at least some attention this offseason. 

Whatever the future holds for the Jets, it appears head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan are going to make an immediate impact. Their first order of business will be trimming the excess fat left over from the Rex Ryan-John Idzik era.