With Jets training camp kicking off this Thursday, the team is still "hopeful" their No. 3 overall draft choice in Quinnen Williams will have his rookie deal settled by that time, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reported last week. 

However, there is still a holdup in completing his contract, and now we know why. 

Vacchiano is hearing the issue is the payment schedule of Williams' signing bonus. That is normally one of two issues that arise when deals with rookies aren't signed, with the other being "offset language."

Former Jets QB Mark Sanchez is officially hanging up his cleats and retiring from the NFL. But ESPN announced that he won't be stepping away from the game entirely. 

Sanchez will be wearing a headset instead of a helmet in a new college football analyst role with ABC/ESPN. He will be working alongside Kevin Negandhi and Jon Vilma, replacing Mack Brown in the network's lead studio on Saturdays. He will also join his former head coach in Rex Ryan 

Sanchez began his career with the Jets in 2009 after going fifth overall out of USC. His career started off with a blast, where he led New York to back-to-back AFC Championship games in his first two seasons. From there, though, things didn't go as well, as Jets fans know. 

The Jets plan to sign former Houston Texans tight end Ryan Griffin, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

As Garafolo notes, Griffin has a chance to come into Jets camp and make an immediate impact on the team, with Chris Herndon set to miss the first four games of the season serving a suspension for a DUI in January 2018.

Griffin will join a tight end corps that is in severe need of a pass-catcher, as outside of Herndon, there isn't a ton of NFL experience at the position.

Forbes released its 2019 version of the 50 most valuable sports franchises in the world on Monday, and all 50 teams have a value of at least $2 billion. 

Six New York teams made the cut, with two of those teams (Yankees and Knicks) leading their respective sports. No NHL or MLS teams made the top 50, although the Rangers are the highest-ranking hockey team at 72 with a value of $1.55 billion. 

Here are the local rankings, which are based on Forbes' published valuations over the past 12 months:

With training camp starting up this week for the Jets, safety Marcus Maye finds himself sidelined once again. 

The Jets announced on Monday that Maye will be placed on the Active/PUP list along with another safety in Brandon Bryant. Rookie cornerback Bless Austin was also placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list. 

Maye just can't catch a break, as he still seems to be working his way back from his ailments that forced him on the season-ending IR last season. The former second round selection broke his thumb in Week 6, though he only sat out one week after getting a pin inserted in it. He also missed the first three games of the season with a foot injury, while dealing with a shoulder issue as well. 

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Last season, it was unclear who the Jets' return specialist would be, but Andre Roberts won the job and ended up in the pro bowl. He's gone now though, so who will undertake the role instead? …

Projected Starters: Ty Montgomery
Projected Backups: Jamison Crowder
On the Bubble: JJ Jones, Tim White, Greg Dortch, Quadree Henderson, Deonte Thompson, Trenton Cannon, Valentine Holmes
Departures: Andre Roberts

The Rundown

This time last year, we were talking about names like Trenton Cannon, Elijah McGuire and Lucky Whitehead as candidates for the return game. However, the veteran Roberts won the job almost by default as McGuire got hurt in camp and Cannon muffed two punts and fumbled on a kickoff return in preseason

SNY's Jeane Coakley goes behind the scenes of a youth sports camp held by Jets wideout Robby Anderson in his Flordia hometown.

Le'Veon Bell gave his Instagram followers a public service announcement on Sunday. 

Bell has caught tons of flak for not just taking a year off from the NFL, but after joining the Jets, not being around the Florham Park facility more during offseason workouts. Of course, those workouts are voluntary with the exception of the mandatory minicamp, which was the only practices Bell attended. 

Still, Bell continues to have people on social media who wonder why he has is posting videos of him rapping or playing basketball. Though he may have been sarcastic while dropping some profanities, Bell has an explanation. 

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The Jets made a splash in the offseason and will now build their running game around Le'Veon Bell, but he's not the only talented running back on the roster ...

Projected Starters: Le'Veon Bell
Projected Backups: Ty Montgomery, Bilal Powell
On the Bubble: Elijah McGuire, Trenton Cannon, De'Angelo Henderson, Valentine Holmes
Departures: Isaiah Crowell

The Rundown

There's no question who the starter will be in 2019 because Bell is the league's highest paid running back and the kind of game-breaking talent that could transform the offense's fortunes. However, there is plenty of intrigue around who will make the final roster and earn some touches inbackup roles.

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The Jets haven't had a difference-making edge rusher since John Abraham was traded almost a decade ago. With new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams renowned for his attacking defenses, who will step up and produce off the edge in 2019? …

Projected Starters: Jordan Jenkins, Brandon Copeland
Projected Backups: Jachai Polite, Frankie Luvu
On the Bubble: Tarell Basham, Kyle Phillips, Justin Alexandre, Bronson Kaufusi, Harvey Langi
Departures: Josh Martin, Jeremiah Attaochu

The Rundown

The Jets were expected to address their need for an edge rusher in the offseason, but they came up short on some attempted big-money deals. In the end, they re-signed Brandon Copeland and drafted Jachai Polite, but otherwise didn't make the big splash they were expected to.

When the Jets' rookies report to camp on Friday, Quinnen Williams is not expected to be among them, reports SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. But an NFL source added that the two sides are "hopeful" Williams' rookie contract will be done in time to report with the full team next week.

Williams, the Jets' first round pick (3rd overall), is one of just five 2019 first-round picks who have not yet signed their contracts. The exact issue with Williams' deal isn't clear, but rookie deals are usually held up due to "offset language" or the payment schedule for his signing bonus.

Whenever the 21-year-old signs he'll get a fully guaranteed, four-year contract worth $32.6 million, with a signing bonus of $21.5 million.

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The Jets aren't considered as having one of the top wide receiver units around the league, but have some promising top-end talent. However, there are roles available further down the depth chart …

Projected Starters: Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, Jamison Crowder
Projected Backups: Deontay Burnett, Josh Bellamy, Charone Peake
On the Bubble: Greg Dortch, Quadree Henderson, Jeff Smith, Deonte Thompson, JJ Jones, Tim White
Departures: Andre Roberts, Jermaine Kearse, Rishard Matthews, Terrelle Pryor

The Rundown

The Jets will be hoping that each of their top three receivers plays a big role in 2019, as they seek to build their offense around quarterback Sam Darnold. While none of them have had a thousand-yard season before, each of their top three receivers has been close to that level of production.

Jets running back Le'Veon Bell was a workhorse for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but that won't be the case for the Jets. Not right away, at least, says head coach Adam Gase. 

Bell, 27, signed a big four-year, $52.2 million deal with the Jets with $35 million guaranteed this offseason. Money like that, the second-most to any running back in the NFL per Spotrac, indicates the Jets should have big plans for Bell, but he's not going to be tossed right into the fire. 

According to Gase, the Jets will ease Bell into his touches after the rusher didn't play in 2018 because of his contract dispute with the Steelers. 

The Jets made Quinnen Williams the third-overall pick at the 2019 NFL draft and his odds at earning the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year Award are nearly the same. 

According to BetOnline.ag, Williams has 17/2 odds at landing the honor, which are the fourth-best odds among defensive rookies. 

Of those with better odds than Williams, two were selected after him. Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White, the fifth-overall pick, and Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen, the seventh-overall pick, landed 8/1 and 7/1 odds, respectively. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, who was the lone defender picked ahead Williams at pick No. 2, has the best odds for the award at 5/1.

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There is widespread concern that the cornerback position could be a weakness for the Jets in the upcoming season. With roles available, could someone unexpected step up and become a key contributor?

Projected Starters: Trumaine Johnson, Darryl Roberts, Brian Poole (slot/nickel)

Projected Backups: Derrick Jones, Parry Nickerson, Blessuan Austin

On the Bubble: Arthur Maulet, Tevaughn Campbell, Mark Myers, Kyron Brown

Departures: Morris Claiborne, Buster Skrine, Rashard Robinson

The Rundown

If the whole football thing doesn't work out for Jets LB Avery Williamson, I think he might have found an alternative. 

SNY's Jeane Coakley was on hand with Williamson at a sushi restaurant in the city to see how well he would do as a sushi chef. 

After making his own rolls, Williamson was very pleased with the result. And, of course, he's liking how the offseason has gone thus far with the Jets...

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In the last six months, the Jets have finished off their third straight season of double-digit losses, their eighth straight season of missing the playoffs, and they've fired their head coach and general manager. No wonder so many believe that things couldn't possibly get any worse.

Of course, that's not the defeatist attitude around One Jets Drive these days. Inside their building, they believe things are about to get much, much better. They have added many talented reinforcements, a high-energy coach, and a GM who seems ready to pull them in the right direction.

Will it all work out for this star-crossed franchise? It's not too early to guess. So here are five bold predictions for what to expect from the Jets this year:

Each year, football fans anxiously await the new Madden NFL game to hit the shelves. But their player ratings generate even more buzz. 

Well, EA Sports has released their initial rankings for each team, and Jets fans may not like where their team has ended up. 

At the moment, the Jets are a 78 overall with an 73 offense and 80 defense, which is good for the sixth-worst team in the game. The Dolphins, an AFC East rival, are the game's worst team at 72 overall, while the Bills are third-worst at 78 overall. The Super Bowl defending-champion Patriots are an overall 87. 

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Last week, the Jets announced that tight end Chris Herndon would be suspended for the first four games of the 2019 regular season. This will obviously be a blow for the team, as they look to establish their new-look offense under Adam Gase. Herndon caught 39 passes last year to lead all rookie tight ends, including 32 over the last 10 games.

However, if the Jets intend to make a move to improve their tight end depth and give themselves further cover at the position, the options are somewhat unappealing.

Last month, even before the Herndon suspension was announced, Bucky Brooks wrote on NFL.com that the Jets should consider trading for veteran Jimmy Graham. However, adding a veteran who is past his prime and still on a high salary would be an overreaction at this point, especially if they had to give up anything of value to acquire him from the Packers.

Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye built a strong chemistry when the two were rookies in 2017. Last season injuries prevented the duo from building on that start to their careers. 

Due to a slew of injuries, including shoulder and thumb issues, Maye was held to only six games played in 2018. Adams wasn't shaken by injuries. His season went in the opposite direction as he landed his first Pro Bowl nod. 

However, Adams recognizes the success of the Jets' secondary takes more than just him and he recently told the team's website that he's excited to have Maye back healthy and ready to go for this year's training camp. 

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The Jets' 2019 roster is already starting to take shape but finding unexpected contributions and building depth from unlikely sources is something that could really help them progress to the next level.

Let's highlight 10 players that haven't received much attention during the offseason, each of whom has a chance to end up on the final roster.

WR Quadree Henderson

Jets tight end Chris Herndon has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the team announced on Friday. 

Herndon, 23, pleaded guilty to a DUI that occurred in June 2018 back in January. 

He received a 90-day driver's license suspension and was fined $639 in municipal court while the NFL continued to investigate. A first-time offender is typically given a two-game suspension, per the league's alcohol policy, but the commissioner can impose additional discipline for aggravating circumstances. 

The NFL is starting to get creative in its continued pursuit for an 18-game schedule. 

According to Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal, one idea being proposed among owners is to limit players to a maximum of 16 regular season games. That would mean, by rule, the Giants and Jets would have to pick at least two games for players like Saquon Barkley and Sam Darnold to sit out. 

The NFLPA has pushed back against an 18-game schedule, largely because the toll an extra two games would place on the players' bodies would be too much to handle on top of an already grueling 16-game schedule. Giants long snapper and NFLPA vice president Zak DeOssie voiced these concerns back in June. 

Avery Williamson's tenure with the Jets got off to a solid start in 2018, but could a career in sports broadcasting be in his future?

The Jets linebacker recently stopped by the SNY Studios and learned all the ins and outs of the business. Watch as he goes over his shot sheets, stops by the makeup room, and makes his way to the SNY desk.

Walt Michaels, former head coach of the New York Jets, died on Wednesday, his daughter told the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader. He was 89.

Michaels spent six seasons with the Jets as the bench boss, racking up a 39-47-1 overall.

His playing cabegan in 1951 as a seventh-round pick by the Cleveland Browns, but was traded to the Green Bay Packers before his rookie season where he played one season. From 1952-1961, he returned to the Browns where he played linebacker. Michaels was a five-time Pro Bowler.

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With training camp just a couple of weeks away, it's a good time to take stock of the rest of the AFC East. Let's review some of the big storylines for each of the Jets' rivals, and assess where they should stand in the Power Rankings...

1. New England Patriots - 2018 record: 11-5

Ordinarily, you'd expect any team to struggle to overcome the loss of key contributors like Trey Flowers, Rob Gronkowski and Trent Brown, among others. However, the Patriots have traditionally had no problems integrating replacements for their departing stars.

Both of New York's football teams have potential MVP candidates in their backfield, according to Bovada. Only one of the two have a player under center that was given odds, though.

Odds Shark released Bovada's latest odds for the NFL's 2019 MVP Award and both Jets running back Le'Veon Bell and Giants running back Saquon Barkley were listed by the odds makers. Both landed with +5000 odds to take home the top-individual silverware next season.

The only rusher with higher odds to land the honor was Alvin Kamara from the New Orleans Saints.

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There's a new general manager (Joe Douglas), a new head coach (Adam Gase), a new star (Le'Veon Bell), and a new attitude (Gregg Williams and many others). All of that has the Jets thinking this is going to be a great season.

But the "old" quarterback -- 22-year-old Sam Darnold -- is still the biggest reason for hope of all.

The Jets may not be ready to say it publicly, but internally they are thinking playoffs. In fact, they're expecting their first playoff berth since 2010. They may not be ready to win the AFC East, but they feel there's no reason why they can't emerge as an AFC contender.

Of all the new coaches that could help Sam Darnold in his second NFL season, it's Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams who could have the biggest impact on the quarterback.

Williams has a reputation for being intense and bringing that competitive energy into practices, which is one of the reasons why head coach Adam Gase hired him. 

That intensity, coupled with the different schemes and looks he will deploy in the defense in practice, is something should benefit Darnold, according to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. 

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The NFL's supplemental draft takes place on July 10th, with the potential for multiple selections for the second year in a row. Could any of the available players interest the Jets, though?

New general manager Joe Douglas has already stated his intent to investigate any and all options to upgrade the roster he inherited from his predecessor, Mike Maccagnan. With the option to forego a 2020 draft pick to add a draftable prospect at this late stage of the offseason, he might be tempted to pull the trigger.

When Douglas and new director of player personnel Chad Alexander were both on the Ravens staff, they opted to use a fifth-round pick on tackle Jared Gaither in 2007. This proved to be a nice pick-up as he started 28 games in his first three years. New assistant general manager Rex Hogan was also on a Bears team that used a seventh-round pick on fullback Harvey Unga in the 2010 supplemental draft. This pick was less successful, though.