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.

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

Darby said heโ€™s still learning the Broncosโ€™ playbook and can lean on CB Kareem Jackson and S Justin Simmons. 

โ€œIโ€™m catching onto the playbook and any questions I have, K-Jax and Simmons are back there helping me with anything I need,โ€ Darby said.

Darby had high praise of first-round CB Patrick Surtain Jr. and thinks the rookie has shown โ€œspecial talentโ€ at practice. 

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

Chiefs

Chiefsโ€™ HC Andy Reid said he is โ€œpulling forโ€ former RB Leโ€™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.

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

Raiders

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

Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?

Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on X.com and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!

Leave a Reply