The Jets say they want to re-sign wide receiver Santonio Holmes and he certainly wants to return. A source who knows the wide receiver well said that Holmes "is absolutely looking forward to playing the rest of his career in a Jets uniform."

Former Jets defensive end/linebacker Jason Taylor says he would welcome a return to New York next season. "I'd love to come back and play one more year in New York," Taylor said on ESPN's NFL Live on Monday. Taylor signed a two-year deal with the Jets in April of 2010, but was cut on March 1, after a season where he recorded five sacks and 35 tackles in 16 games.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning believes the team would welcome Plaxico Burress back more so than running back Tiki Barber. "Probably Plaxico just because he has probably fonder memories of winning a Super Bowl and that catch for the touchdown in Super Bowl XLII," Manning said on the Dan Patrick Show. "Tiki ended on a bad note and it's really a shame, he should be remembered as a great Giants running back and a terrific player, because he was. Just kind of the way he went out and burned a few bridges with the fans and kind of went after me a little bit, it's unfortunate. I'm not happy about it in that sense, so I think Plaxico would probably be welcomed back a little quicker."

The next contract of Saints quarterback Drew Brees is expected to become a prominent issue soon. Brees isn't likely to get a new deal until the Colts set some sort of market price by making Peyton Manning the game's highest-paid player. Manning and Brees are both represented by agent Tom Condon. Brees isn't expected to receive as much as Manning, but the more Manning gets the better for the New Orleans quarterback.

Jets wide receiver/kick returner Brad Smith is set to become an unrestricted free agent and he doesn't expect to definitely be re-signed. Despite his uncertain future, Smith attended the team's player-led workouts. "It was a little awkward, to be honest," Smith said. "Most of the guys are under contract, then you have (Santonio) Holmes, Braylon (Edwards) and I. We worked hard, but you just don't know." "I love being a Jet because of my teammates. It's what makes it special for me," he said. "But as a football player in the interest of business, you have to be able to explore and see what may be best for you, and that's what we're going to do. We'll see if we'll be back with the Jets. I love being with them, but you never know."

Ike Taylor, who has spent eight seasons in Pittsburgh, knows that his future with the Steelers is uncertain. "Time will tell," Taylor said. "I've been (in Pittsburgh) for eight years. I've been in that city more than any other city in my whole life, but time will tell. I see myself being anywhere I need to be. Wherever you put me, I'm going to make home." Taylor played the final season of a four-year, $22.5 million deal with the Steelers last season. "I just leave it up to my agent (Joel Segal) and Pittsburgh," Taylor said. "When it comes down to getting serious, I'm sure my agent is going to call me. Other than that, he'll let me know when the time is right. When you get into this profession, you already know that's part of the business. You don't know what's really going to go on. There's nothing in our business that's guaranteed anyway, so that's how I look at it."

Santonio Holmes is a priority for the Jets, writes Jason La Canfora of The NFL Network. Holmes will be a free agent once the NFL's league year resumes. "I believe they will (be able to afford Holmes)," La Canfora told NFL Total Access. "From everything I've heard, he will be a priority. Look at what they've done in recent years with D'Brickshaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, stepping up for Darrelle Revis. They've done everything possible to keep their young core. ... I think Holmes stays in New York." La Canfora doesn't believe Braylon Edwards will be as much of a priority.

The NFL lockout restricts teams from targeting free agents, but that hasn't stopped two teams from showing "serious interest" in Tiki Barber. The returning running back's representative, Mark Lepselter told WFAN in New York as much. "We feel like we already know where we're going (to sign)," Lepselter said.

Believe it or not, Pittsburgh's coaching staff has some interest in wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Burress, who will be a free agent when the league year resumes, was released from prison earlier this month after serving time for felony gun possession. The Steelers like Burress, but their level of interest will depend on his price.

The Eagles, Cowboys and Ravens appear to be the favorites to land free-agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha once free agency begins. Free agency has been delayed by the NFL lockout, but Asomugha is expected to command top dollar and tons of attention once a labor agreement is reached. Peter Kings of Sports Illustrated labeled Asomugha as the best defensive free agent since Deion Sanders.