Jets owner Woody Johnson vowed coach Herman Edwards would return to the team next season, saying Wednesday "Herm's not leaving." Speculation has centered around Edwards being a candidate for a possible job opening in Kansas City should Dick Vermeil retire. Edwards did little to quell the talk last week when he wondered about his future with the organization, then backpedaled and said he wanted to stay with the team. The vote of confidence came three days after Johnson brushed aside questions on Edwards' future following a 27-0 loss to Denver. Rather than comment on the coach, Johnson would only say the team "gave it all it gave" and kept walking as reporters tried to ask him questions. On Wednesday, Johnson discussed his coach and struggling team (2-8), mired in a five-game losing streak. "I think he's performing fabulously," Johnson said. "We're not winning, but he's doing everything he can to win and I think the team is doing everything they can to win. When I'm down at league meetings and I talk to my colleagues down there, they say, 'Woody, this happens, unfortunately."'

The New York Jets lost two quarterbacks. Brooks Bollinger took a hard hit from Denver's Al Wilson in the first quarter of a 27-0 loss to Denver and exited with a concussion that left him vomiting on the sideline. Vinny Testaverde replaced him, but had to leave in the fourth quarter after hurting his ankle. Emergency quarterback Kliff Kingsbury mopped up, going 1-for-2 for 17 yards. "Our quarterback situation is in shambles," Jets coach Herm Edwards said.

When safety John Lynch became a free agent in 2004, the conventional wisdom was that he'd join his good friend, Jets coach Herman Edwards, in New York. Instead, it was their friendship that kept them from a reunion. Edwards was Lynch's position coach in Tampa Bay, where the two developed a bond so tight that Lynch is godfather to Edwards' son, Marcus. Their families will attend the game together Sunday when Lynch and the surging Broncos (7-2) face Edwards' injury-riddled Jets (2-7) at Invesco Field. Lynch called Edwards "a first-class guy who has as much character as anybody I've ever met." So why not go play for him again? Because, Lynch said, he didn't want Edwards to pay the price if he wasn't able to rebound from a neck injury that threatened to derail his career last year.

With Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil expected to retire after the season, Herm Edwards has been mentioned in NFL circles as the logical successor to his mentor. After all, he used to be an assistant coach and scout for Kansas City and he has known team president Carl Peterson since he was a high-school senior. Edwards is aware of the speculation, and he acknowledged yesterday that "it's nice to hear other people want you." But the Jets' coach, rumored to be interested, said he has no plans to leave. "I want to coach this team as long as I coach," Edwards said in a private moment after his news conference. "When they tell me I can't coach here anymore, I'll move on." Edwards has two years remaining on his contract, so he can't make a unilateral decision to leave for another job. There are looming issues, however, that could come into play. The Jets' salary-cap situation will restrict their ability to rebuild the offense and, with Chad Pennington's uncertain shoulder, they have no quarterback of the present or future. Some coaches might look at that situation and try to run away. "I don't look at it that way," said Edwards, adding, "The offseason will take care of itself. It will come to a head in the offseason, what we have to do, what direction we're going in as an organization. We'll try to fix it and get it going again."

Starting right tackle Jason Fabini was the latest member of the Jets to suffer a season-ending injury, tearing a left pectoral muscle in Sunday's 30-3 loss at Carolina. Edwards confirmed on Monday that Fabini is headed to IR, where he will join quarterback Chad Pennington, center Kevin Mawae, wide receiver Wayne Chrebet, tight end Chris Baker and linebacker Eric Barton.

Jets starting cornerback David Barrett will miss Sunday's game at Carolina because of an eye injury. Barrett was downgraded to out Saturday. He was poked in the eye in a loss to San Diego last weekend. Rookie Justin Miller is expected to start in his place. The Jets also activated defensive back D.J. Johnson for the game.

Jets quarterback Brooks Bollinger will start over ailing Vinny Testaverde against Carolina on Sunday after a strong performance in a loss to San Diego. Bollinger replaced Testaverde late in the third quarter and sparked the Jets to a near comeback victory. He was 11-of-20 for 106 yards with two touchdown passes. With one final chance to win the game, his fourth-down pass to Justin McCareins was batted down and San Diego held on for a 31-26 victory. "I liked what I saw and that was part of the process," coach Herman Edwards said Monday. "If Vinny was going to struggle with his calf, the one thing we knew is Vinny's not good coming off the bench, Brooks is. We'd have some energy coming off the bench with Brooks. And it worked out that way." Testaverde tweaked his strained right Achilles tendon against the Chargers and is listed as questionable for this week's game. He was injured against Atlanta two weeks ago. "I'm a little disappointed that, physically, I'm not able to be out there and give this team the best chance," Testaverde said. "I know [the calf injury] is limiting my performance, and I don't want to hurt the team. We've already been hurt with the other injuries. Brooks did a great job for us. He adds another dimension, being able to move."

Vinny Testaverde and Wayne Chrebet have shared some pretty good times with the New York Jets. But those seem as far away as a trip to the playoffs. In another bizarre twist to an already strange season, their time together may have come to an end Sunday. Chrebet is out for the season after sustaining another concussion in a loss to San Diego, and his career is almost certainly over. Meanwhile, Testaverde is out as the starting quarterback thanks to a strained right calf, leaving Brooks Bollinger in command for Sunday's game at Carolina. Testaverde, who turns 42 Sunday, realizes he might not play again this season. What Chrebet will do is unclear. The 11-year veteran underwent more tests Monday after hitting his head hard on the turf, at least the ninth concussion he has sustained in his college and pro careers. His agent, Art Weiss, said Chrebet will await the test results before deciding on his future. Chrebet is married with two young boys. ``Once he gets the results of his evaluation, Wayne is going to discuss his football future with his family, and then make his decision public,'' the statement said.