AFC Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets

Bills

Bills QB Josh Allen said the team hasn’t gotten over the AFC Championship loss last season.

“The loss we had in the AFC Championship game is still sitting with us,” Allen said, via Bills Wire. “No one here thinks our success last year means anything this year. So we’re recommitted to being playoff caliber to give ourselves a chance to go win a championship.”

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suspects contract negotiations will heat up between the Bills and Allen later this summer, perhaps a little bit before Week 1. 

Dolphins

• Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes the Dolphins were impressed with WR Albert Wilson during OTAs and gave him some reps on the outside to get him on the field at the same time as first-round WR Jaylen Waddle, who’s in the slot. 
• Jackson adds Dolphins CB Xavien Howard remains dug in on getting a raise, and even more so after seeing the extensions Miami gave this offseason to players like K Jason Sanders and LB Jerome Baker. Jackson says this situation has the potential to stretch well into August. 
• When speaking at the Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum on Monday, Dolphins’ director of scouting Reggie McKenzie says he’s “never drafted a player” based on analytics but thought that the information was helpful to have. (D. Orlando Ledbetter) 

Jets

Jets HC Robert Saleh doesn’t see “much value” in the organization bringing in a veteran quarterback behind first-round QB Zach Wilson.

“To just think that just because they’re a veteran it’s going to help a quarterback, there’s a match that has to happen, there’s a scheme familiarity that has to happen,” Saleh said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post. “If you just bring in a veteran who doesn’t know your scheme, he’s learning just like the rookie is. Aside from helping him with rehab and [regeneration] and study habits, which I think Zach and that entire quarterback room is already ahead of the curve on how they handle their bodies and study, I don’t know if there’s much value aside from being comfortable that if the crap hits the fan you have a veteran who has played football. It’s more of a comforting feeling rather than working your ass off to develop the quarterbacks who are already in the building.”

As for Jets S Marcus Maye returning to minicamp after skipping voluntary OTAs, Saleh said he feels comfortable with Maye’s conditioning program outside of camp and is glad to have him back. 

“He’s a leader on this football team,” Saleh said. “Guys have a lot of respect for him and his play style and the way he goes about his business. I feel comfortable about where he is. He’s a pro. He’s been taking care of himself. Obviously, having him here has been great.”