AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

Broncos

It usually takes rookie tight ends some time to adjust, but there are still expectations for first-round TE Noah Fant to play a major role for the Broncos offense this season. The first-year tight end says those expectations pale compared to what he puts on himself.

“I don’t really feel pressure,” Fant said via KUSA’s Mike Klis. “I feel like my expectations for myself are pretty high. I feel like when my expectations for myself exceed everyone else’s, I don’t really feel pressure from everyone else. But that’s back by my work ethic and what I do out here every day and pushing myself.”

Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay came out of nowhere last year as a rookie undrafted free agent to run for over a thousand yards and make the Pro Bowl. The Broncos believe Lindsay is capable of topping the bar he already set ridiculously high. 

“I think he can get better,” Broncos GM John Elway said via the Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala. “He came off a high because it was unexpected. Where he started made it that much higher. Now he’s going to start at a different level and the expectations are going to be much higher, and rightfully so. But I think this offense will get him more involved in the passing game. Phillip is the right kind of guy with the right mentality, and he knows he has to take another step this year.”

• OL Chaz Green was carted off the field Monday due to issues with the heat and hydration and should be fine going forward. (Klis)

Chiefs

Chiefs HC Andy Reid said “there’s been communication” with DL Chris Jones regarding a long-term contract extension and is hopeful he does not hold out. 

“Chris Jones would be the other topic of interest, I’m sure,” Reid said, via Brooke Pryor of the Kansas City Star. “Chris, we’ll know more. Our people have talked with Chris’ people and there’s been communication there. And so, we’ll just see whether he’s here or not here. We obviously want him here, and he probably wants to be here too.”

Reid feels that it would be “probably beneficial” for Jones to be at training camp given they are installing a new defense with DC Steve Spagnuolo. 

“I’ve said this before, you miss days, you miss days,” Reid said. “This is a unique situation in that we’ve had a change in defense and so on. It’s probably beneficial to be here.”

Chargers

Chargers RB Melvin Gordon‘s potential holdout has major implications for a Los Angeles team with Super Bowl aspirations in 2019. Despite that, some teammates are still supportive, including C Mike Pouncey.

“It’s tough, but you just be there for him,” Pouncey said via ESPN’s Eric Williams. “Mel’s a hell of a football player. What he’s fighting for, to get the money he deserves. … Mel’s one of the top running backs in the NFL, and he deserves to get paid like that.”

“Melvin’s one of my brothers, one of the guys I’m close with, so I definitely understand his situation,” Chargers CB Casey Hayward added via Williams. “There’s a short window that you can get paid in this profession, especially at the running back position.”

• According to the Athletic’s Rich Hammond, this is shaping up to be the Chargers first season since 2002 without TE Antonio Gates. 
• Per Mike Silver, 2018 seventh-round RB Justin Jackson is expected to see “a ton of reps” with RB Melvin Gordon holding out. 
• Jackson played well in relief of Gordon toward the end of last year, and HC Anthony Lynn is looking for “big things” from Jackson. 
• Regarding Gordon, Chargers GM Tom Telesco said they have made him an offer, but wouldn’t disclose any details: “I love Melvin Gordon. He’s an excellent player. He’s tough. Great work ethic, and he represents our organization extremely well. But he’s not here.” (Daniel Popper)
• As for the reported healthy issue LT Russell Okung is dealing, Telesco said it’s a “pretty serious medical issue.” Okung is “doing better” and getting “great care” but could miss all of training camp. (Daniel Popper)