AFC Notes: Trevor Lawrence, Jets, Dolphins, Patriots

Trevor Lawrence

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence is almost universally seen as the best quarterback prospect to enter the league in some time and a shining beacon for the Jets in what is an otherwise dismal year. Of course, that means there are significant fears about whether Lawrence will shun New York, either by staying in school or pulling an Eli Manning and forcing a trade. Lawrence himself though doesn’t sound worried about joining the worst team in football. 

“I think I’m ready,” Lawrence said in an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show. “I think just being here at Clemson, my journey has taught me a lot. I’ve grown up a lot the past few years. I’m really just ready to take on whatever challenge it is and just have that opportunity.”

After joking that he hasn’t really watched the Jets this season, Lawrence also went on to add more. 

“Honestly, I know some of the stuff I say sounds cliché but just to have the opportunity to go somewhere, help someone rebuild if that’s what it is or whatever and just win,” Lawrence said. “That’s something I love doing. I think that’s what I’m best at is winning, regardless of stats, whatever it is. That’s what I love. Just to have that chance, obviously some places it will be more of a challenge than others, but I think I’m up for it. That will get here when it’s here. I’m trying to focus now on being great where I’m at.”

Pressed by Patrick on whether he was for sure entering the draft, Lawrence acknowledged the obvious. 

• ESPN’s Rich Cimini says it’s almost all but certain Lawrence will declare for the draft, so the Jets shouldn’t be worried there. However, he notes Lawrence has plenty of leverage to force a trade if he decides he doesn’t want to play for the Jets. 
• Cimini polled five agents and three former general managers and there were mixed opinions about whether Lawrence would try to force the Jets not to draft him.
• While the team has been bad and dysfunctional for several years, the future could be bright with a new head coach and plenty of cap space and draft picks. And although the New York media market is massive and presents other opportunities, social media makes location matter less. Lawrence is also a small-town Georgia boy, so the city might not hold any particular allure for him. 
• One agent noted the Jets are especially sensitive to the perception that they are a dysfunctional organization, so Lawrence absolutely has leverage in threatening to say he doesn’t want to play there. 
• Another agent said he typically tries to arrange meetings between top prospects he represents and owners to see if it’s a good fit. That would take on extra importance with the Jets because of how quickly things went bad with another top prospect, QB Sam Darnold: “You have to think about that because do you want to end up like Sam has ended up? He’s literally had no chance, and now he’s — I guess you could say he’s starting to get under the ‘damaged goods’ list.”

Jets

• Jets HC Adam Gase says he feels like he’s let CEO Christopher Johnson down this season. (Cimini)

Dolphins

The Chiefs showed again why they’re so dangerous, responding to an early 10-0 hole by scoring 30 straight on the Dolphins. But QB Patrick Mahomes was impressed by how Dolphins first-round QB Tua Tagovailoa responded to the onslaught, eventually pulling Miami back within striking distance despite the loss. 

“It’s special, the mindset and the demeanor that he has on that football field,” Mahomes said via Pro Football Talk. “When we kinda got up there I think it was 30-10, he didn’t try to start forcing it. When I was a young quarterback, I might’ve tried to force some throws, try to score 20 points at once. And he really just focused in on taking what was there, moving the ball down the field, trying to cut into the lead. For him to be in his rookie year and be able to have that mindset, it’s gonna pay off a lot in the future.”

Patriots

• Per WEEI’s Ryan Hannable, Patriots OC Josh McDaniels said he’s satisfied with QB Cam Newton so far in 2020: “As far as Cam is concerned, I couldn’t ask anything more of him.” 
• Patriots HC Bill Belichick characterized WR Julian Edelman as being “day-to-day” but did not say if he would come off injured reserve: “But when he’s ready, we’ll start him. If he’s not ready, then he’ll keep working and we’ll wait until he’s ready.” (Mike Reiss)