AFC Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos CB Ronald Darby thinks Denver has one of the best defenses in the NFL given their pass rushers and communication on the field.

“We could definitely be the best (defense in the NFL), if not the top two or three defenses for sure,” Darby said, via Kyle Newman of the Denver Post. “We’ve got the pass rush, we’ve got guys who know what they’re doing, we have the communication aspect. And it’s still early — we’ve got a lot of time to get to know each other a lot more and become something special.”

Darby said he’s still learning the Broncos’ playbook and can lean on CB Kareem Jackson and S Justin Simmons. 

“I’m catching onto the playbook and any questions I have, K-Jax and Simmons are back there helping me with anything I need,” Darby said.

Darby had high praise of first-round CB Patrick Surtain Jr. and thinks the rookie has shown “special talent” at practice. 

“I noticed that outside of his physical traits — height, long arms, he can run and make a play on the ball and that he’s a special talent — he’s also very smart,” Darby said. “He’s picking up everything very fast, and you can tell if he wants something, he’s going to understand it pretty much right away.”

Chiefs

Chiefs’ HC Andy Reid said he is “pulling for” former RB Le’Veon Bell, who recently wrote on Instagram that he would retire before playing for Reid again.

Bell said his feelings stem from a comment that Reid made to him that he refuses to share at this time.

“I really enjoyed my time with him here,” Reid said, via Adam Teicher of ESPN. “I appreciated the way he handled things and did his business. He had some productive downs for us. But I’m pulling for him in the future. That’s how I roll. People say things. They say stuff. I move on and wish him the best.”

Raiders

• Raiders HC Jon Gruden believes the organization is “younger and faster with more depth” in 2021. (Vic Tafur)
• Gruden added that the Raiders are walking into next season with higher expectations and thinks they’ve proven able to compete within the division: “Expectations are rising now … We proved we can compete in the AFC West.” (Vic Tafur)
• Raiders’ new DE Yannick Ngakoue is confident that he and DE Maxx Crosby will form one of the best defensive end tandems in the NFL: “I think Maxx and myself are the best duo that’s going to come hit the scene — and I’m already putting that out there. I feel like the NFL, they’ve kind of shied away from that, and that’s cool. But Maxx is a hard worker. He’s a guy that’s putting in the work. Literally, I [was just] lifting weights right now, Maxx is in there doing things to get better. So it’s the dedication and commitment, and I can play all day with a guy like that.” (Raiders’ official Youtube)