Running back Chris Johnson began his first free-agent tour on Tuesday, meeting with the New York Jets, one of three teams to express interest in the former Tennessee Titans Pro Bowler.
Johnson, 28, was released by the Titans after six 1,000-yard seasons in Nashville.
The Jets envision Johnson as a big-play threat who could pair with Chris Ivory when the offense slows to coach Rex Ryan’s preferred “ground and pound” approach of relying on power running to move the chains and wear down opponents.
The Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys are also reportedly interested in signing Johnson in a timeshare arrangement at running back.
—Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater worked out for the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday and stuck around for an extended visit with the team through Monday.
The multi-day trip is the latest signal from the Vikings that quarterback is again a priority in the 2014 draft. The Vikings pick eighth overall and the 2012 Big East Offensive Player of the Year could still be available. He had a below-average showing at his March 17 pro day in Louisville with Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman present.
—Matt Flynn agreed to contract terms and will re-sign with the Green Bay Packers as the primary backup to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Flynn rejoined the Packers last season after a series of unexpected moves led him back to Green Bay as a street free agent. Flynn signed a three-year, $26 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks as an unrestricted free agent after four years as a backup with the Packers. He started two games with Green Bay, including the epic 480-yard, six-touchdown record-setting performance in a Week 17 game against the Detroit Lions.
The Packers also want to bring back quarterback Brett Favre — for a reunion and to retire his number, but team president Mark Murphy still is not sure when it will take place.
Murphy told ESPN that Favre was invited to Lambeau Field in 2013, but a deep run in the Mississippi High School playoffs by the Oak Grove team for which Favre served as offensive coordinator complicated the schedule. Current quarterback Aaron Rodgers, once Favre’s understudy, encouraged the franchise to embrace Favre and retire his jersey number.
—Brandon Lloyd was lured out of retirement by the San Francisco 49ers, who signed the former Pro Bowl wide receiver to a one-year contract.
The 32-year-old receiver chose to pursue off-field interests last season, denying overtures of the 49ers, Patriots and other teams who wanted him to play in 2013. Lloyd played 10 NFL seasons with six teams, including the 49ers, who drafted him in the fourth-round out of Illinois in 2003.
The 49ers were reportedly interested in DeSean Jackson and other slot receivers — including Emmanuel Sanders, a free agent who left the Steelers to join the Broncos — but made only one move at the position this offseason, re-signing Anquan Boldin.
—The Pittsburgh Steelers signed punter Adam Podlesh to a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.
Podlesh was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He spent the 2007-2010 seasons with Jacksonville and 2011-2013 with the Chicago Bears.
He has punted in 107 regular-season games and averaged 40-plus yards per punt each season of his career.
—The Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday signed tight end Allen Reisner and claimed linebacker Terrell Manning off waivers.
Reisner rejoins the team after spending the final week of the 2012 season and the entire 2013 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Originally signed by the Vikings as a rookie free agent in 2011, Reisner joined the Jaguars after being signed off the Vikings’ practice squad on Dec. 24, 2012. In 15 career appearances, Reisner has caught seven passes for 58 yards. Reisner has made three career starts, all coming during the 2013 season.
Manning began his career with Green Bay in 2012 as a fifth-round draft pick and played in five games before he was waived before the 2013 season. He spent last season with the San Diego Chargers but saw action in only one game because of injuries and was released on Monday.
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Josh Samuda fractured and dislocated his ankle during Tuesday’s voluntary workout, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported. Surgery is Wednesday.
—The Chicago Bears waived defensive end Cheta Ozougwu, the team announced Tuesday.
Ozougwu, a third-year veteran, appeared in nine games over the past two seasons, recording four tackles, one sack, one tackle-for-loss, one forced fumble and five special teams tackles. The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder played in the final seven games last season, registering one tackle, one sack and one forced fumble.