The New York Jets on Saturday declined to exercise an option to retain running back Chris Johnson.

The team did announce that it had picked up $250,000 options on linebackers Calvin Pace and Jason Babin, who will combine to make about $3.5 million in 2015.

By not paying Johnson’s $500,000 bonus, the Jets are allowing him to become a free agent. They had until Monday to decide on the bonus.

Johnson signed a two-year, $8 million contract after being released by the Tennessee Titans last year. By not keeping him, the Jets will save $4 million against the salary cap.

Johnson, a former 2,000-yard back, put together a disappointing season in 2014, rushing 155 times for 663 yards and a touchdown. He also was arrested last month in Orlando, Fla., and charged with the open carrying of a firearm.

The Jets also are expected to let quarterback Michael Vick become a free agent. Vick, 34, took over for starter Geno Smith several times last season, appearing in 10 games. He passed for 604 yards and three touchdowns.

—The Dallas Cowboys have declined the three-year option on defensive tackle Henry Melton.

Melton’s agent, Jordan Woy, confirmed a Dallas Morning News report that Melton will become a free agent and available to sign with any team starting March 10.

The move will make Melton an unrestricted free agent for the second consecutive offseason. He would have made $9 million if the Cowboys had picked up the option. The Cowboys had until Sunday to inform Melton whether they would exercise the contract option.

Melton was a Pro Bowler for the Chicago Bears in 2012 and the Bears put the franchise tag on him in 2013. Melton suffered a torn ACL during the 2013 season. Melton had 15 tackles for the Cowboys in 2014, including five sacks and four passes defended.

—New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, who took a hard helmet-to-helmet hit in the Super Bowl and appeared to be dazed after he got up, still won’t say if he suffered a concussion on the play.

In an interview with the New York Times, Edelman cited team policy against discussing injuries and was evasive whether he had a head injury during New England’s 28-24 Super Bowl win over the Seattle Seahawks nearly two weeks ago.

Edelman took a hit to the head in the fourth quarter from Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, but he stayed in the game despite appearing to stumble. After the Patriots scored in that series, Edelman eventually caught what would be the game-winning 3-yard touchdown with 2:06 left in the game.

Edelman was asked whether he thought Chancellor should have been penalized for the vicious hit.

“I don’t have an opinion on that,” Edelman said. “Kam Chancellor’s doing his job. Whether it was or wasn’t (a penalty), that’s for the refs to decide.”

Then there were even more evasive answers to the Times questions.

Did you get a concussion on that play? “Due to our team policy, I can’t discuss that,” he said.

You stumbled after that play, but you stayed in the game. Does that mean you were not injured? “Next question,” he answered.

Were you tested for a concussion? “I went through all the protocols,” he said.

—Jim Harbaugh offered some insights into his departure from the San Francisco 49ers, saying Friday that the team wanted him out.

Harbaugh said he was informed on the Monday after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 that would not be retained.

“Yes, I was told I wouldn’t be the coach anymore — and you can call it mutual. I wasn’t going to put the 49ers in a position to have a coach they didn’t want anymore,” Harbaugh said during a podcast with Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. “That’s the truth of it. I didn’t leave the 49ers, I felt like the 49er hierarchy left me.”

But he chose to stick around until the end of the season.

“I wanted to finish what I started — what we started,” Harbaugh said. “And I have great fond memories of it.”

—The Washington Redskins claimed offensive tackle Xavier Nixon off waivers on Friday, two days after he was let go by the Indianapolis Colts.

Nixon signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent in May 2013 and began his rookie season on the team’s practice squad. The Colts signed him in September 2013, and he played eight games in two seasons with Indianapolis.