Report: Jets, Patriots Both Interested in Ed Reed, With Rex Ryan, Bill Belichick Having Connection to Free-Agent Safety

The Jets and Patriots are done playing games against each other this year, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to stop competing.

New York and New England are the two top dogs in the tussle for safety Ed Reed, who became a free agent Wednesday after clearing waivers, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports league sources as saying. While Bill Belichick spoke evasively earlier Wednesday about whether the Patriots were interested in Reed, he has a long history of praise for the former Ravens safety and is known to bring in veterans.

But Rex Ryan may have a leg up on his AFC East coaching counterpart in that respect — Ryan actually coached Reed for several years in Baltimore. Ryan’s Jets are strong on defense but could use some help in the secondary.

While it has been speculated that Reed would be a good fit for the Patriots, others have said it is unlikely that the safety, who was disgruntled with the Texans this year, is brought in by New England.

Click here for an update on where Ed Reed signed >>