AFC West Notes: Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Chargers

Chargers RB Melvin Gordon reported to minicamp on Tuesday, as the two sides are discussing a long-term deal.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want a deal done,” Gordon said, via ESPN.com. “But that’s not going to stop me from coming out here and doing what I need to do. We’re going to see. I would like to go out there and have it done. We’re talking right now, and that’s kind of where I’m going to leave it.”

Chargers HC Anthony Lynn stressed that Gordon is “extremely valuable” to them.

“Melvin Gordon is extremely important to us,” Lynn said. “When he’s out here on the field, he works his tail off. He’s gotten better every year that I’ve been here. I think he’s headed in the right direction. If he just goes out and keeps doing what he’s been doing, that contract stuff will take care of itself.”

• The Chargers held OT Russell Okung out of minicamp with an unspecified injury. (Jeff Miller)

Chiefs

The Chiefs offense grabbed all the headlines last year. Newly-signed DB Tyrann Mathieu wants to change that in 2019. 

“Just really trying to build a defense with an attitude,” Mathieu said via the Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell. “I think anytime you can have 10, 11 guys with a chip on their shoulder — an edge, a certain kind of presence, a certain kind of attitude, a kind of swagger — you create a collective identity. I think that’s what we’re trying to do. Definitely not trying to do something that’s outside of our characteristics. I think we wake up each and every day and we live that way — just with an attitude and a chip on our shoulder. Like I said, it can rub off on the guys around you.”

• If Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill is able to play this season and finish out his contract, CBS cap expert Joel Corry expects Kansas City to use the franchise tag on him for a one-year, $18 million deal. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes the NFL is waiting for the Kansas Department of Children and Families to okay an interview with Hill as they continue with a child protective services proceeding.
• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says his understanding is that Chiefs DT Chris Jones would like a new deal with an average of $20 million per season. 
• However, Rapoport says the Chiefs won’t negotiate with Jones unless he’s present. Right now, Jones is skipping mandatory minicamp. 

Raiders

• According to Michael Gehlken, Raiders S Karl Joseph says he still wants “to be a Raider for life” even though Oakland declined his fifth-year option. 
• Raiders TE Darren Waller is working on improving his strength and blocking so he’s not just a “one-trick pony.” (Gehlken)