AFC Notes: Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Chargers

Chargers DE Joey Bosa said he’s had a difficult time adjusting to the team’s new 3-4 defensive system and said there is “a lot more” to this year’s scheme. 

“It’s been tough for me the last couple of days,” Bosa said, via Shelley Smith of ESPN. “But it’s an adjustment. There’s a lot more to this defense than I’ve ever been part of before.”

Bosa admits that he dealt with multiple minor injuries last season but doesn’t feel any concussion symptoms or previous issues. 

“Luckily a lot of them were just a swollen ankle, my shin and my triceps,” Bosa said. “The concussions — there are no effects that I’ve been dealing with. I’m feeling good, nothing from last year.”

Chargers HC Brandon Staley said they are hoping to determine Bosa’s best role in their defense while noting his pass-rushing ability. 

“The thing that he does best is rush the passer,” Staley said. “You can see why he is such a premium rusher when you’re around him in person, with his hands, his quickness. His ability to process quickly on the move. … We’re certainly still learning him and he’s learning us. Hopefully through training camp, we can really figure out exactly where that sweet spot is for him.”

In the end, Bosa mentioned that the Chargers have “everything” they need to succeed and is excited for 2021. 

“We got everything we needed,” Bosa said. “It’s exciting. I don’t want to get too carried away, but it’s exciting.”

Chiefs

Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes is hoping to continue playing with S Tyrann Mathieu for the rest of his career in Kansas City.

“He’s such a great leader on this team and obviously a special football player,” Mahomes said, via NFL.com. “You want him to be here for the long run and you can tell that Chiefs Kingdom is really behind him as the leader of that defense and a leader on this team. Definitely want him to be here as long as he can and as long as I’m here.”

Raiders

The Athletic’s Vic Tafur points out that Raiders HC Jon Gruden‘s recently keying on several defensive backs other than 2020 first-round CB Damon Arnette could mean the second-year cornerback is being phased out of the defense. 

“We’ve put a lot of (draft) picks into our secondary if you count Tre’von Moehrig and Tyree Gillespie and obviously Karl Joseph and John Abram,” Gruden said. “We have a lot of high picks in that secondary. They’re young.”

Gruden added that recently signed CB Casey Hayward provides “day-to-day consistency” and will provide competition to the position. 

“Hayward is going to be a veteran that brings us some seasoning and some day-to-day consistency. He’s going to provide a lot of competition, I promise you that. He’s not here to give away his job.”

Gruden went on to say that he doesn’t care “what round” players are taken in and will start fifth-round CB Nate Hobbs or second-year CB Amik Robertson if they prove themselves.  

“I don’t care if it’s Nate Hobbs and Amik Robertson,” Gruden said. “I don’t care what round they came in, we’re going to play the best four to five guys. The players will decide that.”

Raiders QB Derek Carr compared recently signed WR John Brown to his former teammate WR Nelson Agholor, who signed with the Patriots this offseason. 

“‘Smoke’ is an awesome person, great teammate,” Carr said. “Reminds me a lot of Nelson. Very fast, very smart, works hard. But he’s a great person just like ‘Nelly’. I think that they are very similar players. So, sad to lose Nelly – love him and wish him the best. But … great relationship with him already.”