AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos HC Vic Fangio voiced confidence in OC Pat Shurmur and believes he’s “a great fit” to continue developing QB Drew Lock and the rest of Denver’s offense. 

“(Shurmur) has got a calm demeanor,” Fangio said. “He’s been doing a good job of mixing our run-pass plays on the early downs, both what type of runs we’ve run and short, intermediate, and deep throws. I think it’s been a learning process for all our guys. The players learning the system and Pat learning our players and what’s the best formula, what’s the best approach with the guys we have. I’m excited about what Pat can bring to us moving forward.”

Shurmer feels that Lock is still developing as a rookie given they did not have a full offseason program while pointing out the quarterback made good plays and some “glaring” mistakes as well in 2020. 

“Everybody talks about this being year two (for Lock), but it’s really not year two, in my mind,” Shurmur said. “It’s like a continuation of year one because he didn’t have the whole front half of year two. There’s a lot of things that he’s done really, really well and then there’s some mistakes that become glaring when it comes from the quarterback position. Everything that he’s done and made a mistake on is correctable.”

Regarding Lock’s performance this season, Shurmur said he’s focused on “decision-making” with the quarterback and praised some of his playmaking abilities. 

“We talk about decision-making early and late in the down,” Shurmur said. “There are times when he scrambled outside of the pocket and made (a good) play. It’s just a fine line and I think the important thing is to play with confidence, play with moxie, but also not be anxious, because then you can’t do the easy things.”

Shurmur believes the Broncos’ young offensive roster is very beneficial going into 2021. 

“When you get through this period, it’s a real bonus going into next year,” Shurmur said.

Chargers

• Daniel Popper of The Athletic thinks that if the Chargers decide to keep HC Anthony Lynn, it doesn’t mean they should move on from DC Gus Bradley whose group has been ravaged by injuries once again this season.
• If the Chargers do move on from Bradley, Popper believes a good internal candidate would be DB coach Ron Milus. If they take a look at someone from outside the organization, Popper believes Wade Phillips could be an interesting candidate.
• Popper notes that while both CB Casey Hayward and RG Trai Turner could wind up being cut, he thinks it is more likely that both players will be on the roster next season. He also says that Hayward’s decline in play has been mainly due to injury issues.
• Another contract the Chargers could potentially move on from is that of CB Chris Harris, which would clear $7.5 million in space with a $3.75 million dead-money charge. Popper is unsure about this scenario taking place due to the team not having an in-house replacement for him.
• Albert Breer of SI is under the impression that the Chargers’ will announce the firing of HC Anthony Lynn on Monday.

Raiders

Raiders DE Vic Beasley has played in four games for Las Vegas since being acquired after being released by the Titans. But Beasley hasn’t found any more on-field success, failing to record a sack in his time with the Raiders. That hasn’t blunted HC Jon Gruden‘s optimism about him, however.  

“His availability and his background in the league as a pass rusher is exciting,” Gruden said via Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Hopefully he can answer the bell and be a big part of our future here.”