AFC Notes: Jaguars, Steelers, Titans

Jaguars

There was a lot of buzz about G Andrew Norwell signing with the Giants leading up to the start of free agency before he agreed to a five-year, $66.5 million contract with the Jaguars.

Norwell mentioned that he elected to sign with the Jaguars because he believes they can pick up where they left off last year and push for a Super Bowl title.

“I feel as if this team is going to pick up right where they left off and go win a Super Bowl,” Norwell said, via Jacksonville.com. “And that’s why I came here.”

Steelers

• Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Steelers franchise RB Le’Veon Bell has turned down multiple contract offers from the team including one from last year that would have paid him $13.3 million per year.
• According to Fowler, the Steelers actually increased their offer to Bell this year, but Bell is looking for even more money after continuing to establish himself as the best running back in the NFL.
• Fowler considers the “sweet spot” for negotiations from Bell’s perspective is at least the $14.5 million per year he’s set to make under the franchise tag this season.
• Adam Schefter of ESPN mentioned earlier in the day that he thinks it’s a possibility that Bell could sit out the first half of the 2018 season. (NFLTR)

Titans

Titans RT Jack Conklin said he hasn’t experienced any setbacks in regards to his surgically repaired knee.

“I am still rehabbing, but things are going well, no setbacks,” Conklin said, via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com. “It is hard having a new staff, not able to be out there running around. But I have a great team and the staff has done a great job of getting me (healthy). I am excited.”

Conklin explained that he isn’t looking to rush anything and he wants to be sure he can return to his prior form before returning to the playing field.

“You don’t want to come back too early and hurt it again,” Conklin said. “You want to make sure you are full health and ready to go. If I come back too early, I am not only hurting myself, but I am hurting the team. If I can’t play at the level I need to perform at, there’s really no reason I should be out there playing. I think I need to earn my way back health-wise and practicing and that is something I am working toward and something I am excited to get back to.”