Jets expect S Kerry Rhodes back this season

Mar 5, 2010 - 11:59 PM By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Jets safety Kerry Rhodes, whose future with the team was uncertain, will receive his $2 million roster bonus next week and remain in New York.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum said Friday he expects Rhodes to participate in the offseason program in a few weeks, and play in New York this year and beyond "unless something changes."

When asked if he anticipated something changing, Tannenbaum laughed and said he didn't.

Rhodes has four years left on his contract, and there was speculation he could be traded or cut if he refused to restructure his contract. He was demoted earlier in the season after not seeing eye-to-eye with coach Rex Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, but responded with solid play during the team's playoff run.

Rhodes, feeling disrespected, had been noncommittal about whether he would want to return to the team but met with his coaches and had a different outlook in the offseason.

"To be honest, I really do want to be here," Rhodes said in an interview with television station SportsNet New York in January. "This is New York. This is the team that gave me my first shot. They gave me the big contract. ... I'm letting the fans know I do want to be here to end my career as a Jet, but sometimes circumstances happen."