AFC Notes: Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Chargers

Chargers WR Keenan Allen said he expects Justin Herbert to continue improving in his second season. 

“Just to keep getting better,” Allen said, via Fernando Ramirez of SI.com. “It’s Justin Herbert’s second year, so he’s going to keep getting better — more experience, more knowledge, and better feel for the game.”

Chiefs

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reiterated that he’ll have “no restrictions” in training camp after recovering from a turf toe injury. 

“I think there will be no restrictions,” Mahomes said, via the team’s official site. “I’ve been training, throwing, doing everything that I usually do. And I think that’s what was so good about going to OTAs and doing those things, is that I tested it there, realized I was good. And then when I got back with [my trainer] Bobby and started training in the offseason with him, I was able to do what I normally would do.”

• Chiefs HC Andy Reid said they expect DE Frank Clark to be at training camp after he was recently charged with felony possession of an illegal firearm: “Frank (Clark) will be here and we’ll go forward. We move forward.” (Nate Taylor)

Raiders

Raiders GM Mike Mayock compared Derek Carr and HC Jon Gruden’s relationship to a “corny marriage.” 

“They’re definitely on the same page. Derek is even finishing Jon’s sentences now,” Mayock said, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It’s like a corny marriage. It’s really funny.”

Mayock praised Carr’s ability to retain Gruden’s offensive system and improve each season. 

“I don’t know if Derek has a photographic memory or not, but his memory is mind-boggling,” Mayock said. “Jon puts a lot on his plate and he handles it seamlessly. The two seasons I’ve been here, he’s gotten better each year. I’m excited to see where he can take this thing.”

Mayock explained that Gruden and himself challenge each other when evaluating some players. 

“Jon and I, it’s interesting, we’re both highly opinionated,” Mayock said. “We see a lot of it the same way. We both like guys that love ball. We both like tough, physical players. We value intrinsically both tangibles and intangibles. But like every coach and GM in the league, we’re going to disagree on some people and that’s where it gets fun. Jon challenges me, I challenge him. We do it with coaches, we do it with our scouts. The ultimate goal is to get to the right player.”