AFC East Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Despite a 6-3 start to the season, a loss to the struggling Browns on Sunday has many in Buffalo questioning if the Bills are somewhat of a paper tiger. Among the concerns is second-year QB Josh Allen who has piloted the Bills’ 25th-ranked scoring offense. The former No. 7 overall pick has improved his completion percentage dramatically from his rookie year, but his accuracy issues reared their head again versus the Browns. Bills HC Sean McDermott said, however, he remains confident in his young quarterback. 

“I remain confident in Josh,” McDermott said via NewYorkUpstate.com’s Matt Parrino. “When you look at what we’ve been able to do with the way he’s been able to develop in short to intermediate [throws] this year, and certainly I understand [he needs to be able to] go down the field with accuracy. And that’s where execution comes in.”

Jets

Jets RB Le’Veon Bell was one of the big names buzzing around in rumors at the trade deadline last month. The veteran running back signed a huge deal with the Jets in free agency this offseason and Bell’s unwillingness to restructure for less to go to another team is likely the biggest reason a trade didn’t go through. 

“That was definitely a huge part,” Bell said via Pro Football Talk. “I understand how things work and everything, but the fact that I had actually sat out a whole year to kind of get to where I wanted to get to today, I definitely couldn’t like retract on it. I’m still trying to set myself up and my family up down the line so I’ll make sure that everything tries to stay intact we both would have, myself and whatever team got me, would have both became winners, not just them.”

Once the 2020 offseason comes around, the lay of the land could be much more conducive to a deal, which Bell says he would be open to just like he was this season. 

“Honestly, it was close,” Bell said. “I mean, obviously, it was at the time just hearing everything out and seeing how it plays out. Obviously, I didn’t want to get traded but if it did happen I was ready and I would do what I had to do but, yeah, I just understand from the Jets perspective if they were to trade me and they got some value out of it, I understand where they’re coming from. [I]t’s a business — strictly business — and I understand that whole business-decision thing, so I didn’t take too much offense to it. I just kept my head down and once the trade deadline went by I was ready to put my head down and get back to work.”

Patriots

Immediately after he announced his retirement, speculation began about former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski eventually returning to New England. But with the deadline approaching fast for Gronkowski to make a decision, Patriots QB Tom Brady essentially said he’s not holding his breath for a return. 

“I have heard that, and I am sure a lot of our fans would love to see that too just because everyone remembers how great he was as a player, but I know Gronk is really enjoying his time right now,” Brady said in a radio interview via Ryan Hannable. “He’s said countless times this year that he’s not coming back, so you just have to take his word for it.”