AFC Rumors: Bills, Jets, Titans

Bills

• The Buffalo Bills announced that they’ve hired Colts assistant OL coach Bobby Johnson as their new offensive line coach.
• Mike Rodak mentions that the Bills no longer list assistant OL coach Andrew Dees and offensive assistant William Vlachos as part of their coaching staff.

Jets

• Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reports that the Jets CEO Christopher Johnson initially wanted to make a splash head-coaching hire that could re-energize the franchise and the fan base.
• Multiple sources have told Vacchiano that the Jets did at least do some background work on Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh see what it would take to convince him to return to the NFL. However, Vacchiano says it’s unclear how far those inquiries got.
• Regarding the team’s interest in former Packers HC Mike McCarthy, Vacchiano reports that he was the top of Johnson’s wish list but there were concerns about the fit around the league such as how McCarthy would handle the New York market and there was the possibility he would elect to sit out the 2019 season. According to Vacchiano, McCarthy was uncomfortable with the team’s power structure.
• One of Vacchiano’s source said that Adam Gase quickly vaulted to near the top because he was one of the few candidates with head coaching experience and an offensive background.
• As for Matt Rhule, Vacchiano writes that the Jets had extensive talks with him, but they had concerns over his lack of NFL experience. Vacchiano confirms that the Jets wanted to ensure that he had an experienced NFL staff, which created an issue with Rhule.

Titans

• Paul Kuharsky reports that no one from Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff will be leaving to join Matt LaFleur with the Packers.