AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Steelers

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes that the Dolphins will continue to explore a long-term extension with WR Jarvis Landry after using the non-exclusive franchise tag on him on Tuesday.
• Regarding negotiations between Landry and the Dolphins, Jackson says that Miami made an offer to Landry back in December and Landry’s agent made a counter-offer shortly after. However, the team has still yet to respond to the counter-offer.
• A source close to Landry indicated to Jackson that the receiver would prefer to stay with the Dolphins.
• Armando Salguero reports that Landry and his agent were asking for $14.5 million per year as part of a long-term extension. However, the Dolphins felt that his asking price of a four-year, $58 million contract was too high.

Jets

• According to Rich Cimini, the Jets are leaning toward keeping WR Jermaine Kearse, but it could come down how things go in free agency.
• Cimini says that the Jets are likely to use a second-round tender on WR Quincy Enunwa.
• Cimini lists Allen Robinson, Sammy Watkins, Marqise Lee, Danny Amendola, John Brown, Paul Richardson, Mike Wallace and Eric Decker as some receivers to watch in free agency for New York.
• We have most of these receivers featured in our Top 100  – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

Patriots

• Doug Kyed of NESN writes that unless the Lions and new HC Matt Patricia sign free agent RB Brandon Bolden in free agency, he should be back with the Patriots through at least training camp.
• According to Kyed, the Patriots are unlikely to be able to afford keeping all of their running backs with Dion Lewis in position to secure a decent contract in free agency. With this in mind, Kyed says that the more likely scenario is for James White, Mike Gillislee, Rex Burkhead and Bolden return for the 2018 season.

Steelers

Steelers ILB Ryan Shazier said on teammate Roosevelt Nix‘s podcast that he plans to resume his NFL career and hoping end up as a Hall of Famer when all is said and done.

“Since I’ve been in college, I really wanted to go to the Hall of Fame, I still want to go to the Hall of Fame,” Shazier said, per Ed Bouchette. “All my goals are like making me want to go to the Hall of Fame.”

“I really feel I’m the best linebacker ever,” Shazier added. “I just got to be back out there so everybody can see it. You know what I’m saying?”

Shazier explained that he’s taking things step by step as he works his way back from a serious spinal cord injury.

“I’m really trusting the process,” Shazier said. “I know the end goal. So I’m taking every step of the way, I’m giving everything I got. The therapists are like, ‘Man this is crazy; I’ve never seen anyone work this hard.’ They almost see progression every day.”

• Regarding Steelers ILB Ryan Shazier‘s spinal cord injury, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said that the team will “continue” to look at free agent options, while LB Tyler Matakevich is “certainly in the mix” at inside linebacker. (Jeremy Fowler)
• Fowler mentions Avery Williamson, Preston Brown, and Todd Davis as possible free agent options that the Steelers could consider that would not break the bank to sign.