AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

Broncos

• According to the Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, while new Broncos OC Pat Shurmur isn’t known for using fullbacks, the three-year extension FB Andy Janovich signed is fully guaranteed for 2020, meaning it would cost money to cut him. 
• Jhabvala points out Shurmur is known for adjusting to his current personnel. 
• She also mentions Shurmur picked Denver ahead of six other options, including the Bears and Redskins, because of the autonomy he’d have on offense under defensive-minded HC Vic Fangio.
• Mike Klis reports that Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay underwent a “clean up” scope procedure on his right wrist.

Chargers

• The Athletic’s Daniel Popper writers it’s likely Chargers DE Joey Bosa elects to hold out entering the final year of his rookie contract. 
• Popper points out Bosa is incredibly important to the team’s success, giving him leverage, has already held out as a rookie, is in line to reset the market at 4-3 defensive end and is represented by the same agency that oversaw Rams DT Aaron Donald‘s holdout and subsequent extension. 
• Popper also mentions the Chargers could actually save cap space in 2020 depending on how they structured an extension. 

Chiefs

• According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, most executive around the league expect Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes to get close to $40 million a year with his extension this offseason. 
• One source said even $40 million, more than Seahawks QB Russell Wilson‘s current league-leading $35 million per year, would be selling Mahomes short: “If Jared Goff can get no offset language in his entire contract after three years in the league, then this specific player has all the leverage. I think $40 million would be Mahomes selling himself short.”
• If he agrees to a longer deal, sources say there’s no reason Mahomes can’t hit a $75 million signing bonus. 
• The Chiefs are also willing to extend Mahomes with two years of team control left because of how much the cap, and QB salaries as a result, are set to expand in the coming years. 
• Fowler points out Mahomes’ deal will have ramifications for other Chiefs players, like DL Chris Jones who is a free agent in 2020, TE Travis Kelce who has just one year left on his deal, and WR Sammy Watkins and DE Alex Okafor, who are strong cap casualty candidates.