AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Regarding the Dolphins’ competition at quarterback between Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tua Tagovailoa, and Josh Rosen, Barry Jackson reports that Fitzpatrick is the current favorite to be their Week 1 starter but the Dolphins “aren’t opposed” to playing Tagovailoa in 2020 if he’s able to earn the job. 
• Jackson notes that Fitzpatrick’s performance and the team’s results are obvious factors in deciding whether to play Tagovailoa. 
• As for Rosen, Jackson’s sources indicate that the Dolphins are “by no means” ready to give up on the quarterback and believe Rosen showed progress in practice over the final two months of last season.
• Regarding the Dolphins’ running back rotation, Jackson writes that Jordan Howard and Matt Breida will “assuredly” be their “1 and 1A” backs with marquee starter being determined in training camp.
• Jackson could see Dolphins’ seventh-round RB Malcolm Perry emerging as their third-round receiving back given Breida and Howard are not regarded elite pass catchers.
• In the end, Jackson writes that Dolphins RBs Patrick Laird, Kalen Ballage, and Myles Gaskin are likely competing for a final spot on the active roster. 
• At receiver, Jackson calls Allen Hurns and Isaiah Ford “slight front-runners” for the final two spots at their position with Gary Jennings, Ricardo Louis, and Kirk Merritt behind them. 
• Jackson expects Dolphins OL Shaq Calhoun, Danny Isidora, and Donnell Stanley to compete for a potential final two spots on the active roster, but are still at risk of being replaced by waiver-wire acquisitions. 

Jets

Joe Flacco told reporters that he’s embracing his role as the Jets’ backup quarterback to Sam Darnold. 

“I’m fully embracing it,” Flacco said, via ESPN.com. “I mean, it’s where I am right now. I’m glad to be on a team playing football in some capacity.”

Flacco did, however, say he’s still hoping to be a starting quarterback at some point. 

“For sure,” Flacco said. “I mean, we’re talking about [being a backup] and that is my role, to help the team out, but I obviously still believe I’m a starting quarterback.

“You never know what three years down the line is going to look like. So I have that confidence and I still have the [desire] do that.

“But at this moment, that’s not my role. My role is to help the team get better and to help a young quarterback see things as clearly as possible and help him with his journey to be a longtime NFL quarterback.”

Patriots

• Joel Corry of CBS Sports writes that a long-term deal from the Patriots would need to be attractive enough for franchise G Joe Thuney to forego hitting the open market, given that a second tag would almost certainly be too cost-prohibitive for New England.
• The Patriots have allowed notable offensive linemen to walk in free agency instead of setting the market. As of now, Eagles G Brandon Brooks is the highest-paid guard in the NFL at $14,137,500 per year.