AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos QB Case Keenum said he’s aware of the reports that Denver is searching for a long-term quarterback, but isn’t worrying about his job status. 

“I follow a little bit of it. I take it for what it’s worth,” Keenum said, via DenverBroncos.com. “It’s not something that’s affecting me and my preparation and how I’m ready to go as a football player and what my job is. It’s not affecting my job. For me, I take more of what my coaches say and the meetings that we’ve had. I had a great meeting with John [Elway] at the end of the year and we’ve all got to be better. That’s hands down what it comes down to. I was mad just like every other Broncos fan watching all these playoff games and us sitting at home. I feel the same way that we’ve all got to be better.”

When asked if he’s worried about the Broncos taking a quarterback in the first round, Keenum said: “When’s the draft?. Sorry, I haven’t looked at any draft boards yet. I know how much that changes and how that goes. My job is to get healthy and to get ready for this year. I’m not going to be paying too much attention to that right now especially.”

Chiefs

Chiefs GM Brett Veach said in an interview with Sports Radio 810 WHB that he contacted QB Patrick Mahomes‘ agent about the video him playing basketball. 

“Yes I did see the tweet of Pat Mahomes playing basketball,” Veach said. “We did address it and as soon as I saw, it probably took me two seconds to call his agent and tell him that was a big ‘no no.’ So I think the (Chiefs) Kingdom can rest assured that we have that under control. No more basketball for Pat.”

Veach later told reporters that it was a “light-hearted discussion.”

“It was obviously a light-hearted discussion,” Veach said, per v. “I just said, ‘Hey, man, you’re breaking a lot of ankles out there. Just make sure you don’t break your own. I don’t think we need that.’”

• Veach mentioned that he hasn’t had any discussions yet with veteran OLB Justin Houston regarding his contract and cap hit: “There will be a time and place where we can go through those scenarios.” (Matt Derrick)
• Veach said of the possibility of bringing back RB Kareem Hunt at some point: “Him playing for the Chiefs is on the back burner.” Veach added that their priority is for Hunt to get the help he needs. (Brooke Pryor)
• Field Yates reports that the Chiefs are hiring former Jaguars assistant DL coach David Merritt as their defensive backs coach.

Raiders

Raiders owner Mark Davis tells Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he isn’t frustrated by the process of finding the team’s temporary home for the 2019 season.

“I’m not frustrated,” Davis said. “I’ve said from the beginning, my biggest concern is our fans, and it’s my hope and preference to remain in the Bay Area (in 2019) for them. The fans have always been first in my heart. We do have other options, but the hope is to remain in the Bay Area next season until we move to Las Vegas in 2020, which I remain very excited about.“

“The thing is, we haven’t been the ones talking at all,” Davis added. “Others have been talking for us and in some cases against us. I know the (league) would like this decided within a few weeks, and we certainly don’t want to be the ones that would cause a delay in scheduling.”