AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans

Colts

• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald lists the Colts as one of the five teams with the least sunk costs and most financial flexibility in 2021. 

Jaguars

Jaguars’ HC Doug Marrone commented on what would be best for the future of the franchise when it comes to winning the final two games of the 2020 season, now that the team has the best chance at the No. 1 overall draft pick following a win by the Jets.

“Well, I mean no one’s advised me anything different than to go out there and win,” Marrone said, via Michael Giardi.  “I understand I guess from a standpoint of I was young growing up and had a favorite team and was excited to see where they were going to pick. So, it’s not something that I don’t look back and I understand, but Jesus, we’re trying to win. We’re doing everything we possibly can and that’s my job right now and I owe it to the coaches and players. None of us are going to look at this and the future. No one knows what’s going to happen tomorrow never mind at the end of the year. But I do understand the question and appreciate it. That’s probably a better question maybe for…I don’t know. I really don’t know. I can understand it though, but that’s not the way we think, myself, players. We’re just too competitive.”

• When asked what his reaction would be in the case that he was actually approached and asked to lose a game, Marrone said: “I wouldn’t be able to do that. I couldn’t do it. I just wouldn’t. I’ve never done that with anything in my life. I had trouble letting my kids win when they were little.” (Giardi)
• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano say Titans OC Arthur Smith is their leading candidate for the Jaguars’ head coaching vacancy. Smith has an impressive resume with what he’s done with the Titans offense. 
• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald lists the Jaguars as one of the five teams with the least sunk costs and most financial flexibility in 2021. 

Texans

• Albert Breer of SI notes that Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes recommended OC Eric Bieniemy to Texans’ QB Deshaun Watson as a potential head coach in Houston next season. Breer adds that Texans’ owner Cal McNair has consulted with Watson on the subject and will likely continue to do so.
• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano mention former Bengals HC Marvin Lewis as an interesting fit for the Texans, as Watson would be the best quarterback he’s ever had. 
• But the two say the persistent rumors connecting Bieniemy to Houston are too much to ignore and he would be their bet for the eventual hire. 
• According to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, the Texans have fined Watson and at least one other player who attended a grand opening of Watson’s restaurant franchise. 
• One player was fined $5,000 and Watson was fined more, per Barshop. Players photographed or in attendance at the event include RB Duke Johnson, OT Tytus Howard, LT Laremy Tunsil, OT Roderick Johnson, WR Brandin Cooks and DL Charles Omenihu. 
• The reason for releasing veteran DL Corey Liuget was so that the Texans could take the opportunity to evaluate younger talent on their defensive line during the last games of the season. (Aaron Wilson)

Titans

• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald lists the Titans as one of the five teams with the least sunk costs and most financial flexibility in 2021. 
• Titans CB Adoree’ Jackson said of returning to the field: “The process has been a lot of emotions. Ups and downs. This was the first time I missed a whole lot of games and wasn’t able to play. I just knew eventually we’d see the light at the end of the tunnel.” (Turron Davenport)
• Titans DB coach Anthony Midget was encouraged by Jackson’s performance: “It was encouraging for him to be out so long and come in and compete. The more he plays the better he’s going to get. We’ll continue to build on that and see how he can handle it.” (Davenport)