The New York Jets could be without Pro-Bowl running back Leon Washington as training camp gets ready to open on July 30th. Washington is in the final year of a four-year $2 million dollar rookie contract and all indications are the team is not willing to pay Washington what he wants for a long-term deal. “I do not know,” Washington said in a phone interview, “Honestly, the situation is pretty much the same as it was in minicamp (last month). We’re at a standstill. Not a standstill, but nothing has really changed.” NFL betting information tells us that Washington is looking for $6 million dollars per year which is well below the $2 million per season the Jets have reportedly offered.
Washington was upset at the offer and didn’t attend some of the early team voluntary workouts but did show up near the end. Normally the Jets would be looking to lock up Washington quickly but the 2010 season could be an uncapped year and CBA rules will be different for fourth-year players like Washington. He would not be an unrestricted free agent in 2010 as NFL betting information shows. He would be a restricted free agent which means the Jets could keep him with a qualifying offer. That does not bode well for a deal getting done this season.
Washington is not the only player wanting a new contract. Running back Thomas Jones is also looking for a new deal as NFL betting information indicates. Online sports betting information shows that he is set to make $900,000 in the third year of his four-year $20 million dollar contract. He could also join Washington in a holdout. Considering that Jones and Washington are the top two running backs for the Jets, the team really needs at least one of them in camp, if not both of them.
Online betting information tells us that the Jets released tight end Bubba Franks this week and signed free-agent tight end Richard Owens. He played with Minnesota from 2004-2006 and with the Rams in 2007. He did not play in the league last season.
The Jets are considered darkhorse candidates in the AFC this season with NFL betting odds of 20-1 to win the Super Bowl. Those NFL odds might seem low considering the Jets play in the same division with the New England Patriots who are the favorites in NFL odds at 4-1 to win Super Bowl XLIV.