AFC Notes: Broncos, Browns, Colts

Broncos

• KUSA’s Mike Klis reports the Lions discussed a deal with the Broncos at the trade deadline last year that would have sent CB Darius Slay to Denver in exchange for Broncos CB Chris Harris. However, the deal never came together because Detroit also wanted a high-round draft pick. 
• Klis says the Broncos could also explore a trade for Slay this offseason for a third-round pick. He adds Jaguars CB A.J. Bouye is another potential trade target for Denver. 
• Klis expects the Broncos to explore adding another inside linebacker in free agency, potentially either Rams LB Cory Littleton or Falcons LB De’Vondre Campbell. 
• A reunion with former Broncos LB Danny Trevathan, who also worked with Broncos HC Vic Fangio in Chicago, could be in the works if the Bears don’t re-sign him. 
• Another coaching connection could bring Steelers C B.J. Finney over in free agency to work with former OL coach Mike Munchak again. 
• Jets WR Robby Anderson would provide an immediate impact as a deep threat receiver, per Klis.
• Klis mentions Titans QB Marcus Mariota and Redskins QB Case Keenum as potential backup options for the Broncos. 

Browns

Browns’ impending free-agent LB Joe Schobert said he would like to re-sign with the organization but hasn’t heard anything regarding progress on his contract. 

“We have to see where it goes, see where it leads,” Schobert said, via SiriusXM NFL Radio. “If both sides can reach can an agreement that would be great. I would love that but you never know. As of now, I haven’t heard anything.”

• The Browns announced on Thursday that they have hired former NFL offensive lineman Scott Peters as an assistant offensive line coach to Bill Callahan.
• Former Colts GM Ryan Grigson is working for the Browns in an advisory and consulting role, a person familiar with the arrangement confirmed Thursday. According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Grigson’s gig will “likely” evolve into a full-time job after the NFL Draft.
• The Browns previously hired Grigson in 2017 to work under new GM Andrew Berry, who was the VP of Player Personnel in Cleveland from 2016-18. Former GM John Dorsey fired Grigson in 2018, he then spent the past two years as a consultant for the Seahawks.

Colts

Stephen Holder of The Athletic mentions that it was “extremely out of character” for the Colts to carry three quarterbacks on their active roster last season, which could be an indication that they plan for QB Chad Kelly to be on their roster for the 2020 season.

Even if that proves to be the case, Holder says Kelly will remain on a short leash, due to his past transgressions.

Colts GM Chris Ballard said recently in a radio interview that he believes Kelly has a future in the NFL, but he’ll need to “earn trust every day.”

“Chad had to earn trust. I’m not talking on the field, I’m talking off the field,” Ballard said. “He had screwed up a few times to where, ‘We are your last shot here, son. So, we are going to have some guidelines here about what you have to do and you have to earn trust.’

“The first time we cut him, he had this look of, ‘You are going to cut me?’ I said, ‘Damn right I’m cutting you and you are going to go to the practice squad and you are going to continue to work and continue to do the things that we are asking you to continue to do.’ Do I think he has a future in the league? Yes, I do. Does he continue to have to earn trust every day? Yes.”