AFC Notes: Rex Ryan, Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills

• When asked if Bills second-round S Cole Bishop could continue growing his role when S Damar Hamlin returns from injury, HC Sean McDermott responded: “We’ll see.” (Joe Buscaglia)
• McDermott said QB Mitch Trubisky will get the majority of snaps against the Patriots in Week 18, via Alaina Getzenberg. 

Jets

Tony Pauline of SportsKeeda dove into the Jets’ turmoil with ownership and front office and delved into what has gotten them to this point. 

• A friend of Pauline rode with ex-Jets GM Joe Douglas on their way to the Senior Bowl and mentioned Douglas’ complaints about owner Woody Johnson’s 14-year-old son, Brick.
• Johnson’s son reportedly goes on social media to see what people are saying about the team and then reports his findings back to his father.
• Pauline mentions that Douglas turned down an extension with the team because of a lack of respect for the Johnsons. 
• Regarding their HC vacancy, Pauline is told “everybody and anybody has called wanting to interview… including a lot of non-football people.”
• However, the belief is that New York will have to overpay if he wants one of the young hot names on the market for either GM or HC. 
• Pauline specifically names Buccaneers executive Mike Greenberg, Chiefs executive Mike Borgonzi and Lions OC Ben Johnson as people they would have to overpay.
• “Few in the league” believe Browns consultant Mike Vrabel will take the Jets or Raiders HC job despite the interest among the fan base. Pauline believes Vrabel wants the Patriots’ job but thinks they are unlikely to part with Jerod Mayo.
• Pauline brings up former HC Rex Ryan as someone who has a legitimate shot to take over in New York.

Patriots

• When appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Adam Schefter said he expects the Patriots to stick with HC Jerod Mayo in 2025: “I think the Krafts have wanted to give Jerod Mayo every opportunity, and I still think that’s the case. I think they want to stick with Jerod Mayo. This is a guy they believed in, this is a guy they promoted. It’s a guy they stood behind.”
• When asked if he’s worried about potentially coaching his last game for the Patriots, Mayo responded he’s focused on their upcoming game: “For me, it’s all about focusing on the Bills, trying to win that game.” (Mark Daniels)
• Mayo confirmed Drake Maye will play in Week 18: “Drake’s healthy. … He wants to play. … Drake is our starting quarterback. If he’s healthy and ready to play, he’ll play.” (Chad Graff)
• New England is set to have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with one game remaining, but Mayo said they have no plans on bombing the season-finale: “I’ve never been a part of a team, as a player or as a coach, going to a game not wanting to win. That’s not going to change today.” (Doug Kyed)
• Mayo said they decided to release veteran OLB Yannick Ngakoue to give him a chance to sign with a contending team. (Mike Reiss) 
• Patriots DL Deatrich Wise, who is an impending free agent, said he would love to be back in New England next season: “I would love to return. I love it here.” (Karen Guregian)