AFC Rumors: Broncos, Patriots, Texans

Broncos

Mike Klis of 9 News asked Broncos OLB Von Miller if he would rather sign QB Kirk Cousins for $30 million a year, Case Keenum for $18 million annually or draft a quarterback with the No. 5 overall pick?

“I like all the guys out there but if we could get Kirk that’d be great. If we get solid play (from the QB position) that’d be great. And we got to get better on defense as well,” Miller said. “But since you asked me the question I would like to have Kirk. I would rather have Kirk.’’

Patriots

There has been a lot of speculation in recent weeks about Patriots HC Bill Belichick and whether he’ll return for the 2018 season or retire.

Recent reports have said Belichick is expected to return. However, some around the league wonder if he’s really interested in rebuilding the team’s coaching staff now that coordinators Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia have lined up jobs with the Colts and Lions respectively.

“You should be asking why in the world Belichick would want to come back after losing two coordinators,” a veteran coach tells Mike Sando of ESPN. “…Those other coaches don’t watch every practice rep with the whole staff. Why would a 65-year-old coach want to go from having the greatest continuity in the league to essentially being in the situation Josh McDaniels will inhabit in Indianapolis if Andrew Luck is healthy?”

The coach explained that Belichick essentially has a situation in New England that’s similar to a start-up.

“What awaits Bill is like start-up work — guys who could make errors that you constantly have to work with and teach how to become seasoned playcallers,” the coach said. “It is just a lot of work to break new guys in.”

A head coach from another team believes Belichick has a plan to handle all of the change his staff will undergo this offseason.

“For me, just going off history, I’m sure Bill has a plan,” said the head coach. “Bill has been in this gray area the last four years. It probably won’t be as big of a deal for him as it would be for everyone else, because he has thought through everything. None of us knows what it is. Nobody knew who Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia were before he promoted them a long time ago, and they are still doing it.”

Texans

• Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins made a recruiting pitch to Patriots CB Malcolm Butler after he was benched for the Super Bowl last night, tweeting: “Wusup @mac_BZ we got a place for you in Houston.“
• Both Hopkins and have Texans HC Bill O’Brien have spoken highly of Butler in the past and the team could use help at cornerback. (Houston Chronicle)
• We have Butler featured in our Top 100  – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.
• Texans QB Deshaun Watson posted a video of himself running on a treadmill with the caption: “Officially day 1 of the 2018 NFL season today.. and today is officially my first day back running! Crazy how God works! Gotta have it ALL! ♠️ memo™ 815 #Godspeed” (Houston Chronicle)