AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos QB Drew Lock feels that his “confidence is high right now” in their offseason program and is excited about the progression of Denver’s offense. 

“There’s just a lot that went into this whole offseason that I think after the first couple weeks, we’re going to start seeing grow, and grow, and grow — including my confidence,” Lock said, via the Broncos’ official Twitter. “My confidence is high right now, but that’s just because we’re in practice. I’m just excited about where this is going. I see a lot of things that we’re building on, so to say, we get to focus on some minor details now where maybe last year [we were] focusing on some bigger-picture things. I think that will help us be 10-times better in the long run.”

Regarding rumors that the Broncos were interested in acquiring Aaron Rodgers or Deshaun Watson, Lock believes it was a reflection of Denver’s 5-11 finish last season.

“It came with the lack of wins last year. If we won 10 games, no one would be talking about it. … But due to play from last year, to stop those conversations from happening again, I need to play better this year and that’s where my energy,” said Lock, via Mike Klis. 

Lock said he was never bothered by the rumors regarding Watson and Rodgers because he was focused on improving over the offseason. 

“Energy was and that’s where all my focus was and that’s quite honestly why I didn’t think about it is because all my energy and all my time was focused elsewhere this offseason, and that was getting this team better,” said Lock.

• Chargers TE Jared Cook said the Chargers’ offense is similar to the Saints’: “We probably got better talent here than we had in New Orleans.” (Gilbert Manzano)
• OC Corey Linsley believes he and QB Justin Herbert are working well together: “He’s picking it up really fast. We’re communicating at a high level.” (Manzano)

Raiders

• Mike Clay of ESPN notes that Raiders’ new RB Kenyan Drake did not sound “thrilled” about being a first- and second-down running back while playing under Cardinals’ HC Kliff Kingsbury.
• Clay adds that Drake expects to have a “versatile role” with the Raiders, which could include him lining up at receiver. 
• Drake also acknowledged that Raiders RB Josh Jacobs will be the offense’s “main back.”  (Mike Clay)
• Regarding Raiders QB Derek Carr‘s contract that is set to expire after the 2022 season, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal doesn’t get the sense that anything substantive has occurred right now. 
• Bonsignore believes it’s “ideal” for the Raiders to ride out the remainder of his contract given the two-year, $42 million remaining on his deal is under market price. 
• However, Bonsignore adds that the Raiders run the risk of Carr’s value increasing in two years’ time if they wait to extend him. 
• Given the NFL’s salary cap is expected to increase in 2022 in addition to quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield having looming extensions, Bonsignore questions whether Carr should wait for a new market to emerge before signing to a new deal.