The Jets continue to distance themselves from deals made by the previous administration Rishard Matthews Jerseys 2019 , though they aren’t out from under the financial burden of this one.Via Manish Mehta of the , the Jets benched cornerback Trumaine Johnson last night, in favor of Nate Hairston.That would be Johnson, of the five-year, $72.5 million contract signed before the 2018 season by previous General Manager Mike Maccagnan when he clearly had money to burn.Hairston, a former fifth-round pick of the Colts, was acquired in an August trade for a sixth-rounder by new G.M. Joe Douglas. Hairston started the game, and only when he came off for injury late in the fourth quarter did Johnson see the field.“That was just our decision,” Gase said. “We just decided not to play him.”The Jets might have been hoping that pairing Johnson with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams would spark something White Avery Williamson Jerseys , but it has not. Johnson said he was alternating with the first and second team in practice all week, and didn’t get a “final word” he wouldn’t play. Hairston said he learned he’d start earlier in the week.“I was going with the ones back and forth all week in practice,” Johnson said. “Didn’t play. I was just there to support my teammates. . . .“I’ll have to talk to my DB coach and go from there. I want to be here with my teammates. . . . Of course, I’m upset, But again, It’s not about me.”He said he wouldn’t ask to be traded, but the practical reality is that no one would want that contract unless they packaged an Osweilerian bunch of other stuff to go with it. So now they have an expensive benchwarmer. MINNEAPOLIS 鈥?The Minnesota Vikings have kept the heart of their defense intact with a hefty commitment to linebacker Anthony Barr.For the four-time Pro Bowl pick, a late offer to stay with the only NFL team he’s played for proved too valuable to pass up.More Vikings coverageTop Tweets: Minnesota teams send best wishes to GophersVikings sign veteran guard KlineVikings agree to terms with kicker Dan BaileyVikings add RB depth, re-sign Ameer AbdullahFormer Vikings guard Easton agrees to four-year deal with SaintsAccording to a person with direct knowledge of the deal Avery Williamson Jerseys 2019 , Barr agreed Tuesday to re-sign with the Vikings on a five-year, $67.5 million contract with $33 million guaranteed and more money available through escalators. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced by the Vikings, who had until the beginning of the new league year on Wednesday to clear the necessary space for Barr’s contract to fit under the salary cap.Barr first made a verbal agreement to join the New York Jets, according to reports by ESPN and the NFL Network, but he ultimately changed his mind to remain with the team that drafted him ninth overall in 2014.The Vikings landed quarterback Kirk Cousins last season, despite a larger offer from the Jets. Fifteen years ago, at the persistence of then-coach Mike Tice and his friend’s private plane, the聽Vikings persuaded cornerback Antoine Winfield to abandon his visit to the Jets聽and sign with Minnesota instead.11View Gallery Gallery:2019 NFL free agency: Possible fits for the VikingsBarr was the first draft pick by the Vikings under coach Mike Zimmer, whose 4-3 base defense has been聽a natural fit for the sleek White Rashard Robinson Jerseys , 6-foot-5, 255-pound Barr聽. The variety of assignments the scheme has put him in at the strong side spot have minimized pass-rushing opportunities, though, and limited his career total to 13陆 sacks.He took some turns at defensive end last season and spoke often of a preference to run forward, not backward in coverage, raising the possibility he’d seek a new team with a 3-4 system. Though Zimmer has repeatedly praised Barr over the last five years, the coach bluntly stated in 2016 that Barr “has a tendency to coast a little bit.” Whether the reason was effort or scheme, the Vikings have had their share of games when Barr’s presence went largely unnoticed. When the Vikings gave new deals last summer to wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive end Danielle Hunter but didn’t reach an extension with Barr, the likelihood he would leave only increased.But Barr’s primary agent Rashard Robinson Jerseys 2019 , Brian Murphy of the Southern California-based聽Athletes First聽firm, has built a strong relationship over recent years with Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and executive vice president for football operations Rob Brzezinski through negotiations on previous megadeals for defensive end Everson Griffen, tight end Kyle Rudolph and safety Harrison Smith. Murphy also represents cornerback Trae Waynes, who has entered the final year of his rookie contract.The Vikings entered the offseason with little cap space, after spending big on Cousins, Diggs and Hunter in 2018. They jettisoned two players,聽guard Mike Remmers and safety Andrew Sendejo聽, on Monday for more room. Another starter, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson White Kelvin Beachum Jerseys , reached an agreement with the Cleveland Browns. He’ll likely be replaced by Shamar Stephen, who according to multiple reports has agreed to return to the Vikings, who drafted him in the seventh round in 2014.