Let’s take a quick spin around the AFC:
- Although he’s in no hurry to find a new club, free agent receiver Andrew Hawkins has already been contacted by “quite a few teams” after being released by the Browns earlier today, according to Alex Marvez of the Sporting News (Twitter links). Hawkins asked to be cut loose several weeks ago, but Cleveland decided not to honor his request until today. Hawkins, who managed only 33 receptions in 2016, is now hoping to latch onto a “winning situation,” per Marvez.
- Nick Mangold‘s release from the Jets came with a failed physical designation attached, tweets Howard Balzer of of BalzerFootball.com. While the specifics matter little to New York, the failed physical designation could interest the clubs that are reportedly expected to pursue Mangold this offseason. Mangold, who is likely to be an option for contending teams, missed eight games with injury in 2016.
- The Patriots announced that they’ve promoted coaching assistant Nick Caley to tight ends coach. Caley will replace Brian Daboll, who left New England to accept the University of Alabama’s offensive coordinator position. Caley has worked for the Patriots for the past two seasons, and spent a decade in the NCAA prior to that.