AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Colts

Bengals

• ESPN’s Dan Graziano mentions WR A.J. Green as an extension candidate worth watching for the Bengals after they franchised him this offseason. 
• Graziano says there have been contract talks between Green and the Bengals, but his situation remains “mysterious” after he missed the entire 2019 season due to injury. 
• Should the Bengals and Green be unable to come to an agreement, Graziano wonders if Green could be trade bait in the coming months. 

Browns

In regards to Browns WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, new WRs Chad O’Shea said he is aware of their strengths but each has acknowledged a team-first approach. 

“We’re very fortunate offensively to have some players at each position that really have a lot of strengths,” said O’Shea, via Scott Petrak of BrownsZone. “Obviously, Odell and Jarvis have strengths and what’s most important to me and I know most important to our team and Coach Stefanski is that in everything we do, in every decision we make, and those guys know this, is that we’re going to try to put the team first and we’re going to try to put winning first. I think that they realize that, they embrace that. And I think that they’re also aware that there’s other players at other positions that will help us win games, that are capable to really help us.”

As for Beckham (core) and Landry’s (hip) recoveries from surgery, O’Shea said both players have taken advantage of the added rest this offseason. 

“They have really taken advantage of the opportunity,” said O’Shea. “Our athletic training staff and our strength and conditioning staff has done a great job of putting a plan in place for them. They have made a lot of progress.”

Colts

In 2019, the Colts were one of the NFL’s worst passing offenses. A number of factors contributed to Indianapolis’ struggles, but regardless it was something Colts HC Frank Reich would not stand for as a former quarterback and longtime offensive coach. In addition to personnel changes like signing QB Philip Rivers and drafting WR Michael Pittman Jr in the second round, Reich revamped his coaching staff, hiring Mike Groh as a WR coach and moving former WR coach Kevin Patullo to passing game coordinator. Reich has been pleased with how the two have meshed under OC Nick Sirianni.

“I think it’s worked faster and better than I envisioned it,” Reich said via 1075TheFan.com’s Kevin Bowen. “I tend to be very optimistic and see the glass half full, but it works because Nick has brought great leadership to the offensive staff. Nick brings the level of expertise at the receiver position that is easy for everyone to respect. So, he, Mike and Kevin are a really good team.

“It’s just going to help us as an offense. Because not only do all three have expert qualities as far as coaching receivers, but all 3 have expert minds in the passing game….I know we talk a lot about our run game, but I just think our pass game is going to take another step this year, I really do.”