AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers

Bengals

• Per the Athletic’s Jay Morrison, Bengals WR A.J. Green said “anything is possible” when asked if this was his last game in Cincinnati. 
• Green added: “If this is my last game here, I’ve had an unbelievable time here. I wouldn’t trade it for the world … I’ve had a great time here if this is my last time here.” (Tyler Dragon)

Browns

• Browns QB Baker Mayfield said Browns WR Jarvis Landry was very upset by missing Week 16’s game due to being on the COVID-19 list: “More so than you can probably put into words. Passionate. Loves football. That definitely hurt him. He wants to be out there fighting for us.” (Ulrich)
• Mayfield is happy to have rookie LT Jedrick Wills (illness) and RG Wyatt Teller (ankle) back from their injuries and feels each of them are “vital parts of our offense.” (Ulrich)

Ravens

The Ravens made a move to shore up their secondary next year, re-signing veteran CB Jimmy Smith to a one-year extension worth up to $5 million. Smith isn’t a starting outside corner anymore but he’s a valuable reserve, especially in the slot, and has played his entire career in Baltimore. 

“For a guy of his size to be able to do the things he does to play out there on the corner and on the island is amazing,” Ravens DC Don Martindale said via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “There is no challenge he doesn’t like.”

• According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Smith’s deal includes a $500,000 signing bonus, fully guaranteed $2 million base salary and $2.5 million in playing time incentives that are considered not likely to be earned, thus not counting against the cap. 
• The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec notes the Ravens have some interest in re-signing DL Derek Wolfe, with the veteran expressing his interest as well: “Obviously, I’d love to stay here in Baltimore. It’s in their hands. I’ll let my agent handle that. I’m just worried about winning my next game against the Bengals.”

Steelers

• Per Will Graves of the Associated Press, Steelers second-round WR Chase Claypool said he’s seeing more defenses shade a safety to his side of the field after his success earlier this season: “I think it’s nice that teams respect you and put a safety over the top.”
• Steelers HC Mike Tomlin said recently he’s lowered Claypool’s snaps to try and prevent him from hitting the rookie wall. Claypool doesn’t think he’s hit a wall but is deferring to Tomlin: “Coach T has been in this game for a lot longer time than I have. Whether I believe [in the rookie wall] or not, I think he knows what he’s doing. I’m feeling good now. What he did, whether it was necessary or not, I feel good heading into the playoffs.”