AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

• According to KUSA’s Mike Klis, the Broncos are working on a deal for pending restricted free agent DT Mike Purcell. 
• If Denver can’t reach an agreement with Purcell, Klis said the Broncos planned to use either the second or original round tender on Purcell. Denver put the second-round tender on Purcell Wednesday. 
• Denver’s trade for Titans DT Jurrell Casey drew praise from other coaches around the league: “We were bummed when we saw Denver got him. Good get and upgrade. … He wasn’t as dominant as previous years, but he’s still good.” (Ryan O’Halloran)
• Denver had an interest in Texans QB A.J. McCarron as a backup before he re-signed with Houston. (Klis)
• The Broncos also had an offer out to DL Quinton Jefferson, who signed with the Bills. (Klis)
• Broncos QB Jeff Driskel‘s two-year, $5.5 million deal includes a $1.5 million signing bonus, base salaries of $1 million guaranteed and $2.5 million, and up to $500,000 in annual playing-time incentives. (Aaron Wilson)

Chargers

Chargers’ new CB Chris Harris said he had interest from the Raiders, Saints, and Eagles, but chose to join Los Angeles despite having a three-year offer from Las Vegas. 

“I had a three-year deal from them but I just didn’t feel comfortable with them. I liked the Chargers’ defense,” said Harris, via Mike Klis of 9News.  

• Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, citing sources with knowledge of the situation, reports that Tom Brady was able to finalize a deal with the Buccaneers “without much if any” negotiating.
• Florio writes that Brady “essentially proposed” the financial terms and other items of demands to the Buccaneers and Chargers, which both teams agreed to.
• Florio mentions that it is also possible that Brady presented his terms to other teams, but it ultimately came down to Tampa Bay and Los Angeles.
• According to Florio, Brady requested payment “in the $30 million range” over the next two years but did not make any “grandiose requests” like personnel authority and control over the offenses’ development and implementation.
• In the end, Florio writes that Brady ultimately chose the Buccaneers for both business and professional reasons given there is no income tax in Florida while enabling him to stay close to his 12-year old son on the East Coast.
• Tampa Bay also places Brady and his family closer to frequent destinations like Miami, Costa Rica, and South America. 
• NFL Media’s Jim Trotter says the Chargers won’t rule out drafting a quarterback this year, but won’t force a pick. They’re comfortable going forward with Tyrod Taylor as the starter. 
• The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia doesn’t necessarily buy that the Chargers will stick with Taylor and says Panthers QB Cam Newton could still be an option for Los Angeles. 
• Chargers DT Linval Joseph‘s two-year, $17 million deal includes an $8 million signing bonus, base salaries of $1.5 million and $5.5 million, a $2 million roster bonus in 2021, and an annual $1 million incentive for playing time, sacks and making the Pro Bowl. (Aaron Wilson)
• Harris’ two-year deal has a max value of $19.5 million. Harris received a $7.5 million signing bonus, base salaries of $2 million and $5.5 million, and an annual $1.25 million incentive based on playing time, making the playoffs and the Pro Bowl. (Wilson)

Chiefs

• Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes that the Chiefs are trying to “find a way to keep” WR Sammy Watkins going forward given he is due $14 million and counts $21 million against the cap in 2020. 
• However, Breer believes keeping Watkins will be a “legitimate challenge” given DT Chris Jones is entering a contract year and QB Patrick Mahomes will eventually require an extension. 
• Breer expects the Chiefs to “work hard” to get a deal done with Jones and will likely exceed Colts’ new DT DeForest Buckner‘s $21 million annual deal. 

Raiders

• Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports the Raiders had a two-year offer on the table for CB Chris Harris before electing to sign CB Eli Apple. Harris ended up with the Chargers. 
• According to the Athletic’s Vic Tafur, the Raiders have been monitoring the market for former Bears S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
• The Raiders were one of the teams to kick the tires on CB Trae Waynes before he signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Bengals. (Darren Wolfson)
• Raiders LB Cory Littleton‘s three-year, $35.25 million deal includes base salaries of $11 million, $5.5 million and $11 million. The first two years are guaranteed. (Wilson)
• Littleton has a $5.5 million roster bonus in 2021 that’s guaranteed at signing, as well as up to $500,000 in annual per-game roster bonuses and an annual $250,000 Pro Bowl incentive.
• Raiders S Jeff Heath‘s two-year, $6 million deal includes base salaries of $2.85 million guaranteed and $3.05 million, along with up to $1 million in annual playing-time incentives. (Wilson)