AFC Notes: Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Dolphins

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Dolphins WR Jakeem Grant has a high ankle sprain and will not play in Week 17 against the Bills. 

Jets

Since starting the season 0-13, the Jets have rattled off two straight wins, both against opponents with nine wins or more. Whether that’s enough to change the conventional thinking regarding HC Adam Gase‘s job security is up in the air, as Gase said he hasn’t talked to CEO Christopher Johnson about the subject yet. 

“I haven’t thought about it,” Gase said via Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. “I haven’t had any discussions with Christopher about any of this. My job is to get us ready for the next game, so that’s what I’m going to worry about.”

• Jets RB Frank Gore will miss Week 17 with a lung contusion. (Connor Hughes)

Patriots

• The Athletic’s Jeff Howe writes that while Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore‘s name came up in trade discussions this past season, New England was never close to dealing him because there was never an acceptable offer on the table, presumed to be a first-round pick. 
• Howe notes New England will either need to trade Gilmore this offseason or give him a raise in the form of a contract extension. They’ve pushed up salary from future years to keep his contract competitive and he’s slated to make just $7.6 million in 2021. 
• Howe thinks having two tackles on rookie contracts could help the Patriots re-sign G Joe Thuney to a competitive extension even though they’ve already invested a major deal in G Shaq Mason. Howe points out the Patriots can slot sixth-round OL Michael Onwenu at right tackle and save $7 million by cutting OT Marcus Cannon.
• Howe expects Patriots defensive assistant Jerod Mayo to be viewed as a head coaching candidate sooner rather than later. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentions Jets HC Adam Gase, Browns assistant Chad O’Shea and Patriots TE coach Nick Caley as possible candidates to fill the vacancy at QB coach for the Patriots. 
• Patriots WR Julian Edelman was not activated for Monday night’s game against the Bills and he’s unlikely to be activated before the end of the season. (Ian Rapoport)