AFC Notes: Leonard Floyd, Mike Gesicki, Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

Bills recently signed OLB Leonard Floyd said he signed with Buffalo because he wants to compete for a Super Bowl. 

“It’s simple,” Floyd said, via ProFootballTalk. “I want to win. I want to win the Super Bowl. I’m examining teams, looking at their rosters, and the Bills are the best. I just felt like if I come here I can help the team get there.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says in his opinion, the signing of Floyd kills the Bills’ chances of signing former Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins, though the odds weren’t good to begin with after talks fell apart before the draft. 
• Bills GM Brandon Beane wants CB Kaiir Elam to become a “more consistent player” going into his second year: “I thought last year he did some good things on the field. There were rookie things he did in practice, some learning things. He just has to be a more consistent player in practice, which he’s showing. He’ll continue to progress,” per Chris Brown. 
• Beane on S Damar Hamlin: “Really proud of him to take that next step.” (Katherine Fitzgerald)
• Bills senior defensive assistant Al Holcomb says he is working with the back seven of the defense this season. (Chris Brown)
• Bills OT Brandon Shell‘s one-year contract includes $150,000 guaranteed, a $1.3 million cap hit, and is worth a max of $2 million. (Ryan O’Halloran)

Jets

• Jets HC Robert Saleh said he’s been very impressed by Aaron Rodgers so far this offseason: “There’s been some wow moments. I’m sure there will be a lot more,” per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that he gets the sense the Jets were only in the running for WR Odell Beckham Jr. due to his friendship with Rodgers, and apart from that really like their current receiving corps. 

Patriots

Patriots TE Mike Gesicki cited “opportunity” when asked why he decided to sign with New England as a free agent this offseason, which is interesting since the team already has TE Hunter Henry on the depth chart. But the chance to reunite with Patriots OC Bill O’Brien who coached Gesicki in college likely played a role, as Gesicki spent the 2022 season in an offense not designed for his strengths.  

“Obviously the coaching staff is incredible,” Gesicki said via AtoZSports.com’s Doug Kyed. “A lot of the skill-position guys that I’ve dealt with have been great. Just the opportunity to come up here and compete and just come out here and do what I love to do.”

There have been some early signs during OTAs that the Patriots have a specific plan for Gesicki that could see him doing a lot less blocking than his teammate Henry, for instance. He still says he’ll be asked to block at times though.