AFC Notes: Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills’ DT Star Lotulelei gave his unique perspective on sitting out for a season due to the pandemic.

“I didn’t watch every game, just because it was a little tough,” Lotulelei said, via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. “Especially that last game. I was happy because the team was doing so well. The success that they had last year was great. It was a bummer not to be a part of it, but again, I made the decision, I don’t regret it. … I was hoping they would have got it done, but it is what it is, so I’m back now and we’ll see what happens this year.”

Bills’ HC Sean McDermott knows that he can only use the players who are at his disposal, but he also knows that Lotulelei can be a significant contributor on defense due to his strength and experience. It is the issue of getting back to playing that concerns McDermott going forward.

“Look, you play and you go with who you got,” McDermott said. “And I’m extremely proud of what we were able to do last year on that side of the ball up front. Can Star help us? Yes, he can. But that again remains to be seen by how much time he’s missed. There’s a lot that has to be played out between now and the time we tee it up against Pittsburgh. And so we all have a tremendous amount of work to do. And in this case, Star does as well.”

One supporter of Lotulelei is QB Josh Allen, who said that the veteran defensive tackle is one of his favorite players on the team.

“He doesn’t say two words throughout the entire year, but he’s a guy that you love being around,” Allen said. “He’s got good vibes. Obviously, last year he opted out, but it was good for his body. I think he’s completely healed up. Playing that position, you get banged up throughout the year, so he’s going to be really fresh for us. I’m excited that he’s back … because the things that he can do on the field are just special. But above that, in the locker room, he’s a guy that everybody kind of gravitates toward, even though he doesn’t say much.”

Jets

• ESPN’s Rich Cimini mentions Jets LB C.J. Mosley looks like he’s slimmed down and lost some weight. He’s played in just two games for the Jets since signing in 2019. 
• Cimini lists Jets RB Ty Johnson, DT Nathan Shepherd, WR Keelan Cole and DB Lamarcus Joyner as a few players who turned heads at minicamp. 
• Conversely, Cimini writes Jets OT Chuma Edoga‘s hold on a roster spot is currently tenuous. He adds TE Chris Herndon failed to distinguish himself this spring and needs a strong training camp. 
• Cimini mentions the Jets plan to use TE Trevon Wesco at fullback this season. He also notes undrafted CB Isaiah Dunn looks like he might be the best corner on the roster and the Jets nearly drafted him in the sixth round. 
• Jets WR Jamison Crowder agreed to reduce his base salary by 50 percent to $4.5 million, all of which is guaranteed. He still has an additional $500,000 in per-game active roster bonuses. (Cimini) 

Patriots

Patriots HC Bill Belichick said QB Cam Newton has already benefitted from having a full offseason with the team.

“Cam’s way ahead of where he was last year at this time, there’s no question about that,” Belichick said, via Patriots Wire. “As you would expect, he has a good year of experience under his belt. He’s able to start the process at the beginning and not be in a catch-up mode like he was last year.”

Newton agreed with Belichick but still believes there is still more to learn.

“I’ll be the first person to tell you that there are things that I don’t know yet,” Newton told the media. “That’s why OTAs are important, that’s why minicamp is important, that’s why training camp is important. … We have a lot of new additions. I’m still learning just like every other quarterback is, I would expect and assume and we’re just all trying to get better.”

• ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes that even though Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore held out from mandatory minicamp, he doesn’t get the sense negotiations on a new deal have become acrimonious between the two sides.