AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos rookie WR KJ Hamler wants fans to view him a certain way this season and expects big things from both himself and the team in 2020.

“What I want to show Broncos fans is that I am not a gadget guy. I don’t really want to be described with that term, as a reverse guy, kick return or punt return guy. I want to be known as a ballplayer, as a wide receiver,” said Hamler, via Troy Renck of Denver 7. “They are going to see a playmaker. They are going to see somebody who can make something out of nothing. I just want to help this team go to the Super Bowl. That’s the goal right now, to help in any way possible.”

• Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay says the addition of RB Melvin Gordon in free agency didn’t provide any extra motivation for him: “I’ve had the same fire from the first time I stepped out here to now. I don’t need another man to fuel my fire… For me, honestly nothing changes. I go out there & produce when my number’s called.” (Kyle Newman)
• Lindsay said he was able to put on 10 pounds of muscle without having to worry about rehabbing a wrist injury like last offseason: “Feel good, feel fast. That wrist injury really did a toll on me when it came to working out. … So I feel really good, I feel explosive and I feel like I’m going to have a helluva season this year.” (Mike Klis)

Chargers

For the first time in his career, Chargers RB Austin Ekeler is entering the season as the unquestioned lead back for Los Angeles. However, Ekeler essentially played the same role for the first few games last year during RB Melvin Gordon‘s holdout and he said he’s not going to change up anything else despite the new title. 

“Now I am the starting running back but that doesn’t mean my game is going to change,” Ekeler said via Joe Reedy of the Associated Press. “There is more of a spotlight on my name, but the offense is a similar dynamic.”

• Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice outlines some trades he thinks makes sense for the Eagles, including trading OT Jordan Mailata to the Chargers for LB Kyzir White, as they need help at linebacker and the Chargers could use a backup tackle. 

Raiders

When Raiders QB Derek Carr bought a house next to HC Jon Gruden in Las Vegas, many raised their eyebrows as the thinking was Carr was no sure bet to survive with the team from their move from Oakland. However, Carr enters the Raiders’ first season in Vegas in as good a spot as he’s ever been, as it will be his third year in Gruden’s offense compared to the first for backup QB Marcus Mariota. The supporting cast around Carr is also strong after the team added a number of weapons in the draft. Now Raiders owner Mark Davis said it’s time for Carr to prove his doubters wrong on the field. 

“The best quarterbacks are the ones that have the wins; stats will follow,” Davis said via ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “But you can’t discount the continuity between Derek and Jon. The longer they’re together, the more osmosis there is. There’s a legitimacy to all of it. Jon has a trust in him, and [Carr] works hard and he’s very, very smart. I think it’s all positive, but you still have to play the damn game.”