AFC Notes, Le’Veon Bell, Broncos, Patriots

Le’Veon Bell

• Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that there will be an arbitration case between the NFL and NFLPR regarding RB Le’Veon Bell‘s 2019 salary if the Steelers or another team use the transition tag on him next year.
• The transition tag would pay Bell 120 percent of his 2018 salary. However, teams would likely argue that this figure would be based on Bell’s actual compensation, as opposed to the full franchise tender of $14.5 million.
• The NFLPA would likely contend that Bell’s 2019 compensation should be based on the full $14.5 million and not reduced for the total amount paid out in 2018.

Broncos

Broncos HC Vance Joseph said after Sunday’s loss to the Jets that he doesn’t think they’re in need of a defensive coaching change, despite giving up 512 yards and 34 points.

“No, no. I don’t think we’re there,” Joseph said, via Pro Football Talk. “I thought we were sound schematically, but again, it always starts with coaching. We have to coach better so they can play better, but we pay our players to play also, so it’s not just coaching, it’s all of us involved. So I am not going to stand up here after a loss like that and start blaming our coaches or our players. It starts with me, and we have to coach and play better. Coaches coach and players play.”

Patriots

• Mike Reiss reports that Patriots rookie LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, who was placed on injured reserve a few weeks ago, suffered a torn biceps and has undergone surgery for the issue.
• According to Reis, Bentley has remained around the team and is staying involved while he rehabs the injury.
• Reiss says the Patriots’ running back situation is something to keep an eye on in the coming days. Some options for New England, according to Reiss, include re-signing Kenjon Barner or Mike Gillislee, and promoting rookie Ralph Webb to their active roster.