AFC Notes: Chiefs, Patriots, Ravens

February 11, 2018

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star writes the Chiefs are expected to focus on getting “younger, faster and in certain spots cheaper.”
Mellinger expects there to be “significant” changes made this offseason, particularly on defense.
Some players who could be on the outs with the Chiefs include LB Derrick Johnson, OLB Tamba Hali, CB Ron Parker, OLB Frank Zombo, DT Bennie Logan, S Daniel Sorensen and DL Allen Bailey.

Sources close to the situation have told Mike Reiss that the decision to bench CB Malcolm Butler was a “pure football decision.“
According to Reiss, the odds seem higher that TE Rob Gronkowski will be back next season, as opposed to him retiring from the NFL.
However, a source close to Gronkowski said he wasn’t surprised that the idea of an early retirement had possibly crossed his mind.
During the Super Bowl, WR Brandin Cooks suffered a concussion that ended his night. Sources close to Cooks have told Reiss that he’s responded well over the last week.
Nick Korte of OverTheCap.com projects the Patriots to receive a fourth-round compensatory pick for losing DE Jabaal Sheard in free agency last year.

Ravens defensive backs Tony Jefferson and Marlon Humphrey showed some love for QB Johnny Manziel on Instagram recently with Humphrey saying: “Tell him to come to the Ravens!“
However, Jamison Hensley writes that the Ravens are unlikely to even consider signing Manizel, considering his prior off-the-field issues and the domestic violence incident involving his ex-girlfriend.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has said that they won’t be signing anyone with a domestic violence history.
Baltimore is in need of a backup quarterback, given that Ryan Mallett will be a free agent next month.