AFC East Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer doesn’t think the Dolphins were making any statement by extending CB Xavien Howard before OT Laremy Tunsil.
• However, Breer does think it’s significant that the deal happened after HC Brian Flores got a chance to work with Howard during OTA’s. 

Jets

The Jets plan to start interviewing general manager candidates this week, including Philadelphia’s Joe Douglas, Chicago’s Champ Kelly, Minnesota’s George Paton and Seattle’s Scott Fitterer.

Though requests haven’t gone out yet, other candidates could include San Francisco’s Adam Peters or Detroit’s Lance Newmark.

Gase reiterated that Jets CEO Christopher Johnson would have the final say and diminished his role as the interim GM in picking the next candidate. 

“Christopher’s making the decision,” Gase said, via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “There are a couple of us that are trying to help put the right type of guys in front of him. And the biggest thing, you’re looking for a guy that has leadership qualities. … [But] that has to be both of us [as GM and coach]. We both have to do it. We got to work together to accomplish that. It’s been a while—eight years since they made the playoffs. It’s been a while. There are a lot of people here that haven’t experienced that yet.”

Patriots

• Per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Patriots LB Jamie Collins has $2 million in incentives triggered by playing 50, 60, 70, 91 and 95 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps.
• Patriots WR Julian Edelman‘s extension also includes performance incentives, including $1 million in 2019 if he hits 80 and 90 catches; $2.5 million in 2020 triggered at 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 catches; and $3 million in 2021 triggered at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 catches. 
• Mike Florio reports that TE Ben Watson‘s contract with the Patriots includes $650,000 in incentives, which will give him an opportunity to earn some of his salary lost to suspension. Watson receivers $250,000 for playing 35 percent of the team’s snaps and another $400,000 for hitting 45 percent.