Here's a look at some of the top rumors for Wednesday, August 12:
Needing more quarterback depth after Geno Smith suffered a broken jaw on Tuesday, the New York Jets considered reuniting with Michael Vick but will not sign the 35-year-old QB, according to NFL.com's Rand Getlin. Getlin noted Wednesday that the Jets had a conversation with Vick, but both sides decided that a deal "wasn't in their best interests." Vick took meaningful snaps at quarterback in five games for Gang Green a year ago, completing 52.9 percent of his passes and posting a 21.4 QBR. With Marty Morninwheg's departure and Chan Gailey's arrival as offensive coordinator, Vick probably wouldn't be a good fit in New York anyway.
Another nugget from Getlin: Guard Evan Mathis could finally be close to signing with a new team after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles in June. Getlin says a source close to the situation thinks a "deal could happen anytime now." There's no indication which team that may be, but the Miami Dolphins have long been the most rumored suitor. After hoping to get a bigger contract than the one that would have paid him $5.5 million in 2015 and $6 million in 2016 with Philly, the 33-year-old Mathis may end up settling for half of that or less after hitting the market when few teams had money to spend.
It has been just over two months since San Francisco 49ers right tackle Anthony Davis announced his plans "to take a year or so away from the NFL," but the big man is already talking about his return:
When I return I'll be the best RT in the league again. Hands Down. #KnowYourself
— Anthony Davis (@BamDavis_) August 11, 2015It wouldn't be surprising to see Davis return next season, but he may not be welcomed back with open arms. Teams have trouble trusting players who walk out with little notice, and despite Davis' obvious talent, few players return from an extended absence from football and play at a high level.
Second-round wide receiver Tyler Lockett flashed early in camp for the Seattle Seahawks, but he's grown quiet of late, according to Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times. The Seahawks traded picks in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds to the Washington Redskins to nab Lockett at No. 69 overall in this year's draft, so they've invested plenty in the shifty receiver. With Paul Richardson still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last postseason, Lockett may be counted on as a deep threat and the return game from Day 1.
It appears the career of former Atlanta Falcons left tackle Sam Baker -- who was released by Atlanta in June -- may be over. David Baker, the president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Sam Baker's father, told Gil Brandt on SiriusXM NFL radio that his son "probably just concluded his career." Sam Baker hasn't played since rupturing his patellar tendon in the 2014 preseason, and he also missed all but four games of 2013 with a knee injury. The 30-year-old former first-round pick started 61 games in his career. The Falcons have Jake Matthews, the sixth overall pick in 2014, manning the left side.