AFC Notes: Broncos, Browns, Ravens

Broncos

• Following the news that the Broncos have fired OC Rick Scangarello, Nicki Jhabvala reports that more changes could be coming to the offensive staff. 
• However, Jhabvala adds that OL coach Mike Munchak “isn’t going anywhere.”

Browns

• Charles Robinson says Eagles executive Andrew Berry is “at the front of the GM candidates” for the Browns’ job. 
• Even so, Robinson expects Berry to go through the process, given that he’s in a good situation and will have interest elsewhere if he waits.
• As for Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, Robinson says he wanted a specific structure with the Browns and it became clear that this wasn’t going to be the right fit. According to Robinson, McDaniels was not going to join the Browns with Paul DePodesta or anyone else being a “side jury” reporting to owner Jimmy Haslam.
• Robinson could see Stefanski trying to take one or both of Gary and Klint Kubiak. However, Robinson expects the Vikings to try to keep both of them on their coaching staff.
• According to Robinson, Browns’ ownership is open to retaining assistant GM Eliot Wolf and VP of Player Personnel Alonzo Highsmith if they are happy with whatever roles develop moving forward.
• Robinson expects the Browns to be open for business in terms of trades this offseason and can see them prioritizing character players moving forward. 
• Mike Garafolo reports that there’s a “strong possibility” special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will remain with the Browns, given that he has a prior working relationship with Stefanski from their time together in Minnesota. 
• Mary Kay Cabot hears the Browns’ coaching search ultimately came down to Stefanski and 49ers DC Robert Saleh. 
• According to Cabot, Steve Wilks was set to be Stefanski’s defensive coordinator if he got the Browns’ job last year, so he could also be retained. 

Ravens

The Ravens entered Saturday’s divisional round game against the Titans riding a 12-game win streak as the NFL’s hottest team. However, turnovers, dropped passes and failed fourth downs all were part of an uncharacteristic performance for Baltimore leading to a shocking 28-12 loss as the AFC’s No. 1 seed. After the game, Ravens HC John Harbaugh had to answer questions about whether resting his starters in Week 17, making it nearly three weeks between games for some players, caused any rustiness. 

“I don’t know,” Harbaugh said via NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo. “I don’t have the answer. It’s unanswerable. I thought our guys practiced really hard, did the best they could. But we didn’t play a sharp football game, for sure. What you attribute that to, I guess you can theorize.”