Sam Darnold spoke with Adam Gase before the Jets ended up hiring him. The Jets‘ second-year quarterback said during an interview with SI.com he “interviewed” Gase prior to the team naming him as Todd Bowles‘ successor. Darnold and Gase share an agent, CAA’s Jimmy Sexton. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com wonders how much of a factor that was in the Jets going with Gase, positing that this connection should not be dismissed in tracing how the Jets arrived on Gase. CAA client Peyton Manning also called Jets CEO Christopher Johnson to endorse Gase, Cimini notes. Gase was Manning’s OC for two years in Denver. A previous report indicated Gase’s interview distinguished him from the other candidates. Gase and Darnold will now go about attempting to revive the Jets.
On the first of many Sundays without NFL games, here is the latest from the AFC East:
- Although Isaiah Crowell set the Jets’ single-game rushing record with a 219-yard performance against the Broncos in October, Cimini does not expect the team to keep the veteran running back around for 2019. Crowell tied his career-high yards-per-carry figure with 4.8 but only amassed 685 rushing yards last season. The Jets can save $3MM by releasing Crowell before March 15, when $2MM of his $4MM 2019 base salary becomes guaranteed. The Jets have been the team most linked to Le’Veon Bell, and the team now has $99MM-plus in cap space.
- Patrick Chung recently underwent surgery to repair a broken forearm, but the Patriots safety will go back under the knife soon. Chung will undergo an additional procedure to address a shoulder issue that bothered him during the season, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports (subscription required). It’s the shoulder issue, and not the forearm break, that is expected to sideline Chung for a while. The 31-year-old defender is not expected to participate in Patriots OTAs or minicamp.
- The Patriots are going to have to make moves to address their wide receiver situation. Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson are UFAs-to-be, and Josh Gordon‘s return should not be considered likely at this point. Hogan was a key contributor for the Patriots in 2016 and ’17 but could not re-establish himself as a reliable option down the stretch this season. Hogan finished the campaign with a six-target, zero-catch Super Bowl after compiling just 58 receiving yards in the AFC playoffs, and Howe expects the Pats to allow him to depart in free agency.
- While there could be significant roster turnover in New England, with several coaches already leaving as well, Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston notes this offseason is expected to feature far less drama than last year’s did. Last year featured more fallout from the Jimmy Garoppolo trade, a lengthy Tom Brady absence and Rob Gronkowski considering retirement. After the Pats’ latest Super Bowl title, their situation looks more stable, even if Gronk is once again pondering leaving the game.
- The Bills made multiple moves in order to trade up and land Josh Allen in the 2018 first round, but Brandon Beane may be looking to move back this year. The third-year Bills GM said recently the team does not need to pick in the top 10, and Mike Rodak of ESPN.com expects Buffalo to engage in trade-down discussions from its No. 9 overall slot.
Chung stinks
Don’t hate us cause you ain’t us!
US? Coach or player?
patriots suck at drafting wide receivers
It would be great if they could re-sign Patterson, but I don’t see it happening.
Mostly but there’s always Edelman
Bills don’t need a top 10 pick? Haha, That franchise is a joke.
Well, shoot…You should put your resume in to replace Beane and McDermott there, Roddy…I’m sure that you’d be able to pull us right out of the cellar…I would disagree that the Bills are a joke although that’s the way we are portrayed of late…I fully back Beane’s statement and the needs of the team aren’t worth a Top 10 pick…After the FA dust settles, we will see if the top 10 pick is necessary or not…I’d venture to guess trade stock for young talent will still be of higher importance than a Top 10 pick.
Bills had the leagues lowest payroll so naturally they struggled. That doesn’t make them a joke. Their cap situation is much improved now and they have better organizational continuity than the Jets or Dolphins. Got a franchise QB last year and will use this draft to rebuild the offense and find a replacement for Shady this time around. In a couple of years the Patriots dominance ends and Buffalo will be in the perfect position to take over.
Pats never lose in that joke stadium, I remember yeas ago..Buffalo was ahead by 6 with 1 play left. Pats tried a Hail Mary and lo and behold, Bills get called for pass interference. When was the last time u saw that baby called. 8 or 9 guys jumping for the ball…and they had he balls to call P.I. First down on the one…bingo..TD. Extra pt. good. Pats win. Check out their overall record. A total joke,
Is it a joke just because the Patriots are a lot better and have been a lot better for 16/18 years? Not many teams beat them at home. Only undefeated team at home this year. Are you saying all the refs favor them at home?
What does it look like to you?
Your bitterness and jealousy has clouded your memory and severely affected your ability to think rationally. Seek help
The Patriots don’t need refs to cheat, they video practices or deflate balls. Yes the rest of the league hates them. Not because they win, it’s because they cheat
Looks like you refuse to give them the credit they deserve for outplaying their opponents. Obviously home field advantage in the NFL is significant. They have a dynasty unheard of in the salary cap era. Hard not to just tip your hat. They seem to win in so many different ways.
They also have an unheard amounts of scandals in that same time frame if im not mistaken.