AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

Broncos

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano write that Broncos HC Vic Fangio is believed to be safe given how much fight his team has shown despite one of the worst injury situations in the league. However, if things go south as the season goes on, that could change. 
• Denver hosted free agent RB Damarea Crockett on Monday after he passed through the COVID-19 testing protocols. (Mike Klis)

Chargers

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano say the feeling around the league is that Chargers HC Anthony Lynn is safe despite the team’s 1-4 start. The organization loves him and Lynn has a strong command of the locker room. It helps that first-round QB Justin Herbert is playing well even if it’s not translating to wins. 
• If the losses continue in 2021, however, the belief is Lynn’s seat will heat up in a hurry. 
• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes Chargers LB Denzel Perryman isn’t playing much and could make sense as a trade target to the Steelers after they lost Devin Bush.

Chiefs

Chiefs first-round RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran like a man on a mission Monday night against the Bills, racking up a career-high 161 yards rushing on 26 carries. It’s easy to see the subtext of the rookie staking his claim to a share of the backfield with the imminent arrival of RB Le’Veon Bell to Kansas City, but afterward Edwards-Helaire said he’s looking forward to learning from a back with Bell’s resume. 

“Talking to Le’Veon, he’s another piece to the puzzle,” Edwards-Helaire said via the Athletic’s Nate Taylor. “From here, I just feel like we can only go up. Le’Veon is older than me. I’m still in my rookie year, so, ultimately, anything that I can do to pick his brain and gain any knowledge from him, I’m there for it.”

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano say Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy is viewed as the clear top coaching candidate available this offseason with the Texans already a potential frontrunner. Bieniemy’s contract is up after this season. 
• Chiefs director of football operations Mike Borgonzi is also listed by the two as a potential GM candidate this offseason. 
• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero says Bell has a $1 million base salary, which is prorated to $705,882.
• However, Bell can also earn two additional bonuses worth $500,000 for 25 percent playing time and an AFC title, and for 25 percent playing time with a Super Bowl win.
• According to Chiefs’ HC Andy Reid, starting RT Mitchell Schwartz attempted to make it through Monday’s game with a back issue but was unable to continue once he began feeling tightness. (James Palmer)
• Reid had this to say about the Chiefs’ decision to sign Bell: “We don’t turn away good players and he’s a good one.” (Adam Teicher)