AFC Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• Sal Capaccio of WGR 550 Sports Radio says the Bills will be keeping a close eye on starting QB Josh Allen this season in order to decide whether or not they will pick up his fifth-year option.
• The team also has QB Matt Barkley, who they feel can get them through a few games in case of injury and can also continue to be an important mentor to Allen, according to Capaccio.
• Fifth-round QB Jake Fromm and QB Davis Webb are also on the roster and will compete with Barkley for the backup job.

Jets

• Per SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, Jets HC Adam Gase wished departed S Jamal Adams well: “We wish him nothing but the best. He was an incredible talent that I feel lucky enough to be around for that year. … The whole situation ends up being a win-win for both sides.”
• Gase didn’t want to address Adams’ comments about him and the team leadership in an interview before he was traded: “That’s a done deal and I’m going to focus on the players currently on our roster.” (Rich Cimini)
• Jets QB Sam Darnold, though, threw his support behind his head coach: “He’s the right leader for this team, for sure.” (Cimini)
• Asked how the team justified trading a talent like Adams, Gase responded: “We want guys who want to be here. Obviously he didn’t want to be here anymore, so the decision was made to move on. It’s a team game.” (Vacchiano)
• Gase is excited about the potential for Jets RB Le’Veon Bell to have a bounceback year in 2020: “I know this. He’s not a guy that I would ever doubt. I’m excited to get him going on the field. … He’s looking to prove to people that he’s still at the top of his game.” (Vacchiano)
• The Jets have had serious discussions about quarantining their quarterbacks from the rest of the team, per Gase: “Once you start sticking traveling in there in the regular season, we do have to keep talking through these types of things and figuring out the best things for us to do.” (Vacchiano)

Patriots

• According to NFL Media’s Michael Giardi, Patriots C David Andrews does not plan to opt out of the 2020 season despite missing last year with blood clots in his lungs. 
• Per the Athletic’s Jeff Howe, New England believes the six current opt-outs — OT Marcus Cannon, FB Danny Vitale, LB Dont’a Hightower, S Patrick Chung, RB Brandon Bolden and OL Najee Toran — are all the team will have for 2020. 
• Their teammates are understanding, with one prominent Patriots player saying “it comes down to what’s best for you and your family.” Another player said: “Of course, we’d love to have these guys out there but there is no ill will. They’re doing what’s right for them.” (Giardi)
• As of Tuesday morning, the Patriots had not reached out to free-agent DE Jadeveon Clowney, who could play a similar role to Hightower. (Howe)
• Hightower had expressed interest in a contract extension several months ago, as 2020 was supposed to be the last year of his deal. It’s unclear whether he’ll still be interested in a year. (Howe)