AFC Notes: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• Per WGR 550’s Sal Capaccio, Bills LBs Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano both returned to practice on Wednesday. 
• Bills HC Sean McDermott said CB Josh Norman, who’s on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, is progressing well and the team should know by the weekend if he’ll be able to be activated. (Joe Buscaglia)

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Brian Flores said their defense must put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks going forward. 

“We need more pressure on the quarterback,” said Flores, via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. “I think every team is looking for that. When you find ways to get pressure on the quarterback, that’s what we’ve been talking about the last few days.”

Dolphins DC Josh Boyer believes their matchups against the Patriots and Bills hindered their ability to generate a pass rush given they both have mobile quarterbacks. 

“I know our guys are going to work hard to do that, and there’s always a fundamental element when you have a quarterback with the ability to scramble, that kind of hinders rush from time to time,” Boyer said. “But we need to find ways to improve it. We need to coach it better. We need to adjust better, and we need to execute better.”

Jets

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer doesn’t think the Jets will ax HC Adam Gase before the end of the season. 
• Per the Athletic’s Connor Hughes, the Jets have ruled out WR Breshad Perriman, C Connor McGovern, WR Jamison Crowder and CB Quincy Wilson out for Week 3 against the Colts. 

Patriots

• The Athletic’s Jeff Howe notes it likely makes sense for the Patriots and QB Cam Newton to push contract negotiations until the offseason given Newton’s injury history. Howe adds New England can’t increase Newton’s 2020 cap hit, which is at the league minimum. 
• Howe says the Patriots are set to have plenty of cap space next year, with a projected $65 million in space that ranks third in the NFL and could increase even more. 
• As for what Newton could get, Howe lists the two-year, $53 million initial offer New England presented to Tom Brady, the four-year, $118 million deal the Titans gave Ryan Tannehill, Vikings QB Kirk Cousins‘ three-year, $96 million deal and Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger‘s two-year, $68 million extension as the relevant comparisons. 
• Howe projects a three-year, $90 million deal with about $49 million guaranteed as a solid starting point for the Patriots and Newton. If Newton wants more, Howe believes the Patriots could let him test the market or use the franchise tag. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer thinks Tannehill’s deal is a good barometer for the Patriots and Newton, adding that New England should strive to get a deal done as soon as possible.