AFC Notes: Patriots, Raiders, Texans

Patriots

According to Patriots S Devin McCourty, they knew all week that CB Malcolm Butler wasn’t going to be starting for them in the Super Bowl.

“As far as I know, all of that is the furthest thing from the truth,” McCourty told Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com. “We all knew he wasn’t starting all week. That wasn’t a secret to the guys on the team.

“I get why people are fishing. The guy played 98 percent of the plays. I just hate that for him character-wise going into free agency. It’s just not true. As far as I know — and I was there all week — not one time did anything come up.”

However, Josina Anderson reports that not all of the Patriots players knew  Butler wasn’t starting.

I definitely didn’t know that,” one Pats player told Anderson.

Raiders

  • While there’s no update regarding a long-term extension for Raiders LB Khalil Mack, Scott Bair expects a deal to get done this offseason.
  • According to Bair, “there’s zero chance edge rusher Khalil Mack will walk out the front door.”
  • Bair says there are some positive signs that the Raiders and LB NaVorro Bowman could be open to a reunion, but even if he returns to Oakland, it wouldn’t impact Raiders draft strategy.
  • While there has been some speculation that the Raiders could move on from TE Jared Cook this offseason, Bair points out that this would be a surprising move that could create another roster hole for the team to address this offseason.

Texans

  • Mike Klis reports that Broncos assistant strength coach Mike Eubanks is joining Luke Richesson with the Texans.
  • According to Klis, former Broncos/Bears assistant strength coach Jason George is also joining Richesson’s staff in Houston.

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