AFC East Notes: Bills, Jets, Joe Douglas

Bills

Bills QBs coach Ken Dorsey said second-year QB Josh Allen “has been great” this offseason and has impressed with his “intelligence.”

“Josh has been great,” Dorsey said, via John Murphy of the team’s official site. “Obviously, he’s got all of those physical tools that everybody talks about. But the thing I’ve been really impressed with is just the intelligence — how smart he is. Very intelligent-hard worker, studies the game, puts in a lot of time. And a great leader.”

According to Dorsey, Allen is “making the right decisions” with his passes and is “developing” relationships with their receivers. 

“On the field, making the right decisions,” said Dorsey. “Putting the ball where it needs to be on time and accurately, letting our guys catch the ball and make plays. Off the field is developing those relationships with our guys. Making sure we are on the same page and we all have one mindset towards the same goal, and that’s to win football games.”

Joe Douglas

Jets GM Joe Douglas says there’s a window to win with QB Sam Darnold still on his rookie contract and he’s determined to be aggressive to take advantage of that. 

“I’ll say this: Building around a young guy, there was a sense of urgency in Philadelphia, knowing we had a young quarterback, and we wanted to put the pieces around him,” Douglas said via Rich Cimini of ESPN. “I think there’s going to be that same urgency anywhere, especially here with a young quarterback like Sam.”

Douglas has been friends with ESPN’s Todd McShay since the two were freshmen in college, but says McShay is one of many candidates for his second-in-command with the Jets. 

“I’ve known Todd a long time, we’re friends and we’ve talked ever since we both got into the evaluation field,” Douglas said via Pro Football Talk. “It would be great to work together, but those are just talks. Todd’s a good friend but we’re talking to a lot of people.”

• Douglas says the Jets will be active on the waiver wire since they have the No. 3 priority, specifically mentioning cornerback as a need. (Cimini)

Jets

• Connor Hughes of The Athletic writes that second-year QB Sam Darnold has “legitimately improved” this offseason and has been impressed with Darnold’s arm strength, accuracy, and pocket presence. 
• Hughes also mentions that the tight end position is “much more involved” under Jets’ new HC Adam Gase, while the running back spot “moves all over” the field. 
• Hughes believes that the Jets have “real” concern with their secondary and expects them to be in the trade market for a cornerback. 
• However, Hughes does not think that the Jets will be able to trade for someone like Vikings CB Trae Waynes and mentions Eagles CB Rasul Douglas for a late-round pick as a more realistic type of move, given that new GM Joe Douglas knows him well.