AFC Rumors: Broncos, Raiders, Titans

Broncos

• According to Peter King, Broncos executive VP John Elway wants to emulate some of the more imaginative offensive schemes in football and is likely to try to find the best available offensive mind and build a staff around him.
• Regarding QB Case Keenum, Elway told reporters: “Case is our quarterback right now. We got to do a better job supporting him too.” (Nicki Jhabvala)
• When asked about the possibility that they could trade for a coach, Elway said: “We’re looking at everything. I always listen to everything.” (Ryan O’Halloran)
• Elway said that Adam Gase is not a candidate for their head coaching job “at this point in time.” (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Broncos LB Brandon Marshall said Monday that he “absolutely” wants to be back in Denver and would like to finish his career there. (Nicki Jhabvala)

Raiders

The Raiders officially introduced Mike Mayock as their new GM on Monday. Mayock told reporters that he believed he and Jon Gruden are going to be a great fit.

“Jon and I have talked a lot of football in the last 20 years. I think what you’re seeing is the formal unification of something that has been going on for a long time,” Mayock said, via ESPN.com. “There’s nobody I’d rather go to war with than Jon Gruden and Mark Davis.”

• When asked if Derek Carr is the Raiders’ long-term answer at quarterback, Mayock said: “That’s part of my study right now…not going to make a comment on anybody on the roster until I do a complete deep dive.” (Paul Gutierrez)
• Pro Football Talk reports that the Raiders interviewed Marc Ross for their GM position to comply with Rooney Rule before hiring Mike Mayock.
• Dan Graziano reports that former Eagles executive Trey Brown also interviewed for the job.

Titans

Titans QB Marcus Mariota told reporters on Monday that he won’t require surgery for his neck injury.

“There is no surgical procedure,” Mariota said, via Pro Football Talk. “Just with the nerves and some of the other things, it’s just going to take some time to get healthy.”

Regarding the decision to hold him out of Sunday’s game, Mariota explained that several people were involved.

“It was a combination of several people, and when it came down to it, the decision was ultimately between the team and myself,” Mariota said. “For what it’s worth, I wasn’t able to get to a point where I was ready to go. It sucks, and it hurts, man. When you’re not able to be out there with your guys, it definitely takes a toll on you, but at the same time, man, I just want to be there for my guys and unfortunately I wasn’t able to do that.

“Well, what it came down to is when you have an opportunity to play a game that you love and someone tells you you shouldn’t, that’s one of the hardest things I think any athlete has to go through,” Mariota added. “Unfortunately, I had to deal with that, and for what it’s worth, I’ll learn from it; I’ll grow from it and just this as part of my process and find ways to get healthy and get ready to go.”