AFC Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Texans, Titans, Ryan Tannehill

Colts

• Colts GM Chris Ballard said despite teams inquiring about C Ryan Kelly and DB Kenny Moore, both will be on the roster in 2023: “They’re both great Colts, and we’re glad they’re here.” (Zak Keefer)
• Trading CB Stephon Gilmore was partially cap-related and partially an effort to free up opportunities for CBs Isaiah Rodgers and Dallis Flowers. Ballard doesn’t expect to replace Gilmore in the lineup: “We feel like they can take another step. Now, are they Stephon Gilmore? No. There’s not a lot like Stephon.” (Joel Erickson)
• Ballard didn’t eliminate the possibility of the team adding QB Lamar Jackson: “Anytime a special player is available – which he is — you gotta do the work. I’m not gonna get into deep discussions on where it’s at, what we’re doing or what we might do, but he’s a really special player. You never know how any of this will work out.” (Keefer)
• Ballard said the team didn’t trade up with Chicago for the No. 1 pick due to uncertainty at the top of the draft board and the depth of the class: “History kind of tells you when you do that, you better know what you’re getting…we weren’t quite ready to do that. And we feel like there was enough depth in the draft that we were gonna be OK.” (Keefer)
• Colts owner Jim Irsay when asked about fully-guaranteed contracts in the NFL: “As an owner, I do not believe in fully-guaranteed contracts. I think that a percentage is one thing, but from what I’ve seen from the NBA and baseball, I don’t see it as a positive competitively.” (Keefer)

Jaguars

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson was upset to see OT Jawaan Taylor leave the team but can’t fault him for taking the Chiefs’ $80 million offer. Now their focus turns to Walker Little, who will get his chance to start full-time on the right side. 

“You hated to see him go, but I get it,” Pederson said, via Jags Wire. “That’s part of our business and that’s what’s gonna happen. I wish him all the best and success in Kansas City. But now for us, it’s about moving forward. Walker Little, it’s a great opportunity for him to step up, and I do believe there are some good offensive linemen in this draft if the right guy is there, obviously. We’ll see how it all plays out.”

Texans

• Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said DB Jimmie Ward was brought to Houston specifically to play safety, not slot corner: “Jimmie can play anywhere, but I’m going to play him at safety.” (Aaron Wilson)
• The Texans’ contract with TE Dalton Schultz is for one year with a max value of $9 million. The deal has a $4.5 million signing bonus, $6 million guaranteed, a salary of $1.5 million fully guaranteed, $14,750 per-game active roster bonuses, and also includes incentives. (Wilson)

Titans

Titans HC Mike Vrabel expects QB Ryan Tannehill to be the team’s starter in 2023, but wouldn’t commit to him.

“Of course [we expect Ryan Tannehill to be the starter],” Vrabel said, via Titans Wire. “Of course we do. We’re in March, we’re continuing to build a football team, the best football team we can. And Ryan is healthy, he’s getting healthy, I would say that he’s putting work in, it’s been good to see him around the building. So, yeah, we always expect that, but to make predictions — I think I’ve been through this last year — [I’m] not going to commit to anybody being on our roster in September. I’ve seen it change too quickly. And of course we want Ryan as our quarterback and everybody else that’s helped us win.”

Vrabel also noted that the team would like to have joint practices with another organization during training camp this summer. 

• Titans GM Ran Carthon said both the team and RB Derrick Henry are in a good place following false reports that they were shopping him. (Turron Davenport)
• Vrabel and OC Tim Kelly had a dinner meeting with Cincinnati WR Tyler Scott before his pro day. (Justin Williams)