AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

• Per KUSA’s Mike Klis, Broncos GM John Elway says expectations for 2019 second-round QB Drew Lock “have to be tempered” with the lack of practice and development time this offseason. 
• Elway notes the Broncos and S Justin Simmons didn’t come close on extension talks before the franchise tag deadline: “Our numbers were far apart.” (Ryan O’Halloran)
• Broncos DT Kyle Peko had “preconditions” for opting out according to Elway and thus could qualify under the NFL’s high-risk opt-out for a $350,000 stipend. (O’Halloran)
• Broncos HC Vic Fangio still is optimistic for LT Garett Bolles as he enters a make-or-break year in 2020: “I think the arrow is up. Now it’s easy to say here in late-July. We’ll see.” (Klis)
• Fangio notes Broncos DE Bradley Chubb “has done well in his rehab” from a torn ACL last year, but still likely will start on the PUP list: “The key for him, too, is he’s doing well mentally. He didn’t let the grind and ups and downs of rehab get to him. I don’t think we can say he’s 100% right now. We’ll watch him.” (O’Halloran)

Chargers

The Chargers have a number of players whose contracts they’ll need to address in the coming months. There’s star DE Joey Bosa, who’s entering the final year of his deal and could push hard for an extension at the start of camp. Franchise-tagged TE Hunter Henry will be looking at unrestricted free agency again after this year. And other key veterans like WR Keenan Allen, DE Melvin Ingram, C Mike Pouncey and a handful of others are also on expiring contracts. 

With the potential for the NFL’s salary cap to drop to $175 million in 2021, Chargers GM Tom Telesco could face additional challenges than he anticipated six months ago. But he says the team is well-positioned to weather any financial uncertainty. 

“I always have future years in my mind,” Telesco said via Gilbert Manzano of the Orange County Register. “I’d say right now, they’re in the back of my mind not in the front of my mind, but we’re set up pretty well for 2021 no matter what happens. So I feel pretty good about that. We’re in a good position for that part down the road, so that’s not a concern right now.”

Chiefs

• Per the Athletic’s Mike Sando, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes unsurprisingly ranked as a unanimous Tier 1 quarterback, dubbed a “freak show” by one head coach: “I have never seen a guy that big, that athletic, that strong of an arm, that good at decision making, that many clubs in his bag. He’s got touch, he’s got zip, he can throw the long-ass bomb, he can avoid guys, he knows where his issues are protection-wise. He is a guy I really enjoy watching play.”

Raiders

• Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur of The Athletic predict the Raiders roster prior to the season and believe that HC Jon Gruden may have enough love for QB Nathan Peterman to keep him as the team’s third quarterback.
• It also remains to be seen if RB Devontae Booker will make the roster, due to the fact that his primary skill is as a receiving back and the team likely has that covered with running backs Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, and rookie Lynn Bowden.
• Reed and Tafur expect the Raiders to keep four tight ends on their roster including Darren Waller, Foster Moreau, Jason Witten, and Derek Carrier.