AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

Dolphins first-round QB Tua Tagovailoa has played well for the most part since surprisingly entering the starting lineup earlier this season. The lone hiccup was a loss to the Broncos when Tagovailoa was actually benched before the end of the game. But Dolphins OC Chan Gailey said the blame for that should fall more on him. 

“I think Denver did a great job,” Gailey said via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. “They did some things that we didn’t plan on, and it hurt us. That’s my job. It wasn’t him as much as it was me in that ball game. I think we’ve progressed and [we’re] learning where he’s comfortable . . . and how we can incorporate what’s comfortable to him. It takes time. You don’t like to say that. You want it all to come together immediately. I think we’re working toward what we can be for some time. I don’t think we’ve gotten there. We’re still progressing, but we’ve made some progress.”

• According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Dolphins CB Xavien Howard plans to ask for his five-year, $75 million deal to be renegotiated this offseason. 
• Howard’s deal made him the NFL’s top-paid corner at the time but multiple players have since passed him. 
• Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald lists the Dolphins as one of the five teams with the least sunk costs and most financial flexibility in 2021. 

Jets

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano think Bills OC Brian Daboll makes a lot of sense for the Jets head coaching vacancy. The new hire will either need to save Sam Darnold or help a rookie quarterback and Daboll drew attention for his work with Josh Allen this year. 

Patriots

• Patriots’ QB coach Jedd Fisch interviewed for the Head Coach position at the University of Arizona on Monday night, according to Jason Scheer.
• NESN’s Doug Kyed notes that while the Patriots are unlikely to exercise RB Sony Michel‘s fifth-year option this offseason, he still has shown enough to be a part of a 1-2 punch with RB Damien Harris in 2021. 
• Patriots’ WR Matthew Slater has earned a $100,000 incentive for making the Pro Bowl this season. (Joel Corry)
• The New England Patriots brought in K Roberto Aguayo for a visit on Monday. (Mike Reiss)