New York Jets discussed signing former Ravens running back Ray Rice

It seems that the New York Jets have been open to bringing in former Baltimore Ravens rusher Ray Rice. According to Jets Wire, in an interview with WFAN on Friday morning, Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said that Rice was the topic of conversation a few times.

We’ve talked about that at various points in time.

I’d probably say that that would be one that I would probably have to sit down and talk with [Jets coach Todd Bowles] and [Jets owner Woody Johnson]. But I don’t foresee that at this point in time.

Maccagnan was voted 'Executive of the Year' by the Pro Football Writers of America for the 2015 season after bouncing back a franchise into nearly making the playoffs and achieving a 10-6 record. It is a move that would even make sense for the Jets, who don't have a great depth chart at the running back position. Chris Ivory led the team in 2015 hitting 1070 yards rushing, while being less of a factor in the passing game, catching only 30 passes for 217 yards.

Meanwhile, at Ray Rice's prime he had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage along with 15 touchdowns on the season. An integral part of the 2012 team that won a Super Bowl, Rice was a major factor not only through rushing the ball, but in catching passes out of the backfield. With the Jets having questionable and young players at the quarterback position, having an outlet valve like Rice would have benefited the team greatly in developing Geno Smith and in giving Ryan Fitzpatrick a better place to put the football at times.

We've covered Ray Rice's attempts to come back in the NFL after this horrific off the field incident partially due to the fact that he was once a Ravens player and because I genuinely want to see him back in a uniform. His last season was underwhelming, but he was a unique element for an offense when he was at his peak. In a league filled with criminals, wife beaters, and drug abusers, it seems that Ray Rice has been the poster child for the league to attempt to have teeth.

After suspending him for two games from a domestic violence incident, video surfaced and suddenly commissioner Roger Goodell tried to suspend him indefinitely. While it was a ridiculous reaction to a ridiculous circumstance, Ray Rice being let go from the Ravens has put him on a blacklist from every team, despite more than a few of them having a dire need for a playmaker at that position both before the first week of the season and also after a bunch of injuries happened throughout the season.

While the Jets seem to have no desire to add Rice to their roster right now, the fact that it has been discussed openly should persuade some teams to give him a try out this offseason or even next season when injuries pop up.