AFC Notes: Jaguars, Jets, Titans

Jaguars

Jaguars executive Tony Khan said he feels “really strong” about his relationship with HC Doug Marrone, executive Tom Coughlin, and GM Dave Caldwell, despite the team’s disappointing season in 2018.

“I feel really strong about Doug and Tom and Dave. We’ve worked together, Dave and I, for a long time. Doug also for a long time, and the time I’ve spent with Tom has been really good,” said Khan, via Phillip Heilman of The Florida-Times Union.

• Daniel Popper of The Athletic writes that the Jaguars’ largest position of need is at quarterback given Blake Bortles did not improve off his 2017 season and commit more turnovers than the previous year.
• Popper expects Jacksonville to sign a veteran quarterback such as Eagles QB Nick Foles, Ravens QB Joe Flacco, Browns QB Tyrod Taylor, Jets QB Josh McCown or Buccaneers QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
• Regarding the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator vacancy, Popper mentions that Marrone and Coughlin “remain steadfast” on their run-first ideology and will hire a coordinator who follows their philosophy.
• Popper believes the Jaguars must add talent at “every offensive position” including another wide receiver, tight end, running back, and a starting offensive lineman.

Jets

Jets QB Sam Darnold tells Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News that he is “super pumped” about the team’s decision to hire Adam Gase as their next head coach.

• Jeff Darlington reports that former NFL QB Peyton Manning called Jets executive Christopher Johnson to “advocate” for Adam Gase, who was hired as head coach on Wednesday.
• According to Rich Cimini, Baylor HC Matt Rhule may have been the “preferred choice” by the Jets but they wanted to “handpick” his offensive coordinator.
• Cimini adds that Buccaneers’ former OC Todd Monken was “floated around” as a possible option for Rhule, but he wanted to hire his own staff.
• If the Jets hire Gregg Williams as their defensive coordinator, Mary Kay Cabot mentions that he would likely bring along his son, Blake (LBs), and other former Browns assistants let go yesterday such Jerod Kruse (asst DB).

Titans

Titans GM Jon Robinson says they won’t rush to find a replacement for OC Matt LaFleur after he was hired by the Packers.

“There’s been several meetings throughout the course of the last two days, three days here with Vrabel and I about the direction that we’re going to go with the football team,” Robinson said, via NFL.com. “We’re probably going to be a little bit more deliberate in our approach here, not rush into anything, take a lot of things into consideration as we make a decision for what’s best for our team.“