AFC Notes: Chiefs, Patriots, Raiders

Chiefs

• According to Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs keeping WR Sammy Watkins under contract was among their top priorities this offseason given he performed his best in big-game situations. 
• As for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes‘ future contract, Pelissero reports that a possible deal wouldn’t come until after the 2020 NFL Draft.

Browns

New Browns HC Kevin Stefanski also praised GM Andrew Berry for adding RT Jack Conklin to their roster. 

“You never know as you go into a player acquisition period exactly how it’s going to play out, but we identified some people important to what we want to do and who we want to be. As this period has gone on, when you talk free agency and then the draft, it was just so important to get the right players in here, but also to get the right people. I know I’ve harped on that, but I’m going to continue to harp on that. Nice job so far, and I give a ton of credit to Andrew and his crew.”

• Regarding how the Browns’ staff will gather for the 2020 NFL Draft, Stefanski said it’s possible he’ll participate in the selection process from his home in Minnesota. (Nate Ulrich)
• Ulrich notes that Stefanski has been working from home for the past two weeks. 

Patriots

Former Patriots executive Scott Pioli does not think HC Bill Belichick and free-agent QB Cam Newton would work well together due to their differences in personality. 

“The Patriots thing is interesting because I’ve heard a lot of people talk about that,” Pioli said, per CBS Sports Radio. “And in my mind, having spent as much time with Bill as I did, I don’t see those two coexisting together. . . . The personalities and the beliefs of how the game should be played and is played . . . it seems like oil and water. Now as soon as I say that, what’s gonna happen next week is they’ll probably sign him.” 

Pilio adds that Belichick and Newton’s “approaches to the game” are also different, noting that Newton prefers “entertainment” as an added aspect to football. 

“But I just see them as being very different personalities and having very different approaches to the game. Bill understands — he believes in football more than entertainment. Cam believes that football and entertainment are almost equal partners. In which this day it is, but Bill has the soul of a football man and I couldn’t see that one working out too well. And if it did it would have to be for probably one season.”