AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

• Nick Jhabvala of The Athletic reports Michigan State was interested in new Broncos’ OC Pat Shurmur for its head-coaching job, but he decided to remain in place with Denver. 

Chiefs

Chiefs DT Mike Pennel was hanging out watching the games like everyone else for half the season until Kansas City called and needed help on defense. Pennel became a key part of an improved Chiefs defense that played an integral role in the franchise’s first Super Bowl win in 50 years. So it makes sense that Pennel would like to run it back. 

“I’d definitely like to stay here,” Pennel said via Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star. “I know this is the place where I work well with the coaches, I love the fan base, I love the city and my family stays out here. I know it’s a business, but I told my agents and I told everybody in the Kansas City Chiefs organization that I’d like to be back.”

The good news for Pennel is that based on his last conversation with the team, there’s a good chance he’s back in 2020. 

“Exit meetings are easy when you win a Super Bowl,” Pennel said. “I’ve never been a part of that, so it was short and sweet. But the general consensus was they’d like to have me back.”

• According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the expectation around the NFL is there’s a good chance Chiefs DT Chris Jones receives the franchise tag even if he’s ultimately too expensive for Kansas City to retain. 

Raiders

• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye lists the Raiders as a possible landing spot for WR Nelson Agholor on a one-year deal this offseason, as Las Vegas needs receiving help and Agholor could welcome a return to the West Coast.