AFC Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Titans

• Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap says that of all the players on the franchise tag, Broncos S Justin Simmons is the most likely to sign a new deal that would make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL with a $15 million a year contract.
• Fitzgerald adds that for a team that is sold on QB Drew Lock, who will be under a cheap deal for the next two years, it makes no sense to put off a new contract and that there is nothing to gain for the Broncos by letting the situation play out this season. Fitzgerald mentions that he could see it being the first deal done this week.

Chiefs

As the pinnacle of the sport, the Super Bowl is the goal of every single NFL team every year. Players go their entire careers without making an appearance in the game, which is part of what makes Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes winning the game in just his third season at the age of 24 so unprecedented. Now that Mahomes is under contract for the next 12 years, Kansas City’s goals have become a lot bigger than just winning a single Super Bowl. 

“And [Mahomes is] gonna be the man for the next 10 to 15 years, that’s what we’re debating. We’re going to have a dynasty,” Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins said via the Kansas City Star’s Pete Grathof. “If the Kansas City Chiefs can keep all the players together, we’re going to be a dynasty.”

Titans

Titans HC Mike Vrabel discussed the contract situation of RB Derrick Henry with his deadline to sign a long-term deal rapidly approaching.

“Derrick signed his franchise tender, he’s under contract,” Vrabel said Thursday on NFL Network. “I know that [G.M.] Jon [Robinson] and [V.P. of football administration] Vin Marino have been in contact with his reps. Having been involved with the NFL for a lot of years, getting deals done is about being patient, hopefully keeping them private and confidential. So I’m going to try to respect that, and understand that we love Derrick and he understands how important he is to our football team. Again, his leadership that grew last year, I’m looking forward, I know our team is looking for more of that this year.”

• The Titans have until Wednesday to complete a long term deal with Henry, or else he will have to play under the franchise tag.
• The team has other notable players such as TE Jonnu Smith, LB Jayon Brown, and DT DaQuan Jones that are entering the final year of their contracts without any sign that an extension will happen for any of them.
• Titans GM Jon Robinson admitted the pandemic has created an uncertain financial landscape, which has slowed contract talks for his team.