ORLANDO - Let me tell you, there's nothing quite like being surrounded by your sports-writing brethren shortly after 7 a.m. in a ballroom at the JW Marriott. Lots of coffee is consumed, lots of folks attack the free buffet like they haven't eaten in days and won't for weeks more, and many unsuspecting coaches get asked questions they probably didn't have on their radar going into the morning. Welcome to the AFC Coaches' breakfast, 2024-style.
While our fearless leader, Gregory A. Bedard (the A stands for Awesome), actively participated in Jerod Mayo's press conference, yours truly bounced from table to table, trying to gain intel on new Patriots players and coaches and some potential targets that went elsewhere. So, let me take you through my morning with the help of Kevin Stefanski, Mike Tomlin, Zac Taylor, and Brian Callahan.
Let's start with the one who got away — Calvin Ridley. The Pats made what league sources called an aggressive offer, but they were trumped by the Tennessee Titans, the NFL's version of the Scott Boras "mystery team." Callahan explained how that deal — which includes $50 million guaranteed ($46.5 in the first two years) — came to be.
"Ridley was a guy we had had conversations about," said Callahan, the first-year Titans coach. "We were going to see what his market was. And as kind of days went by, we felt like that market was something that we were in the same ballpark as. As the days went on, we just kind of monitored it. And then one day, Ran came in, and he had had a thought about it, 'Let's call Calvin's agent; let's see where that's at.' And it turns out, it was something we could enter into it.
"Truthfully, we had two or three other targets that were out there that we had allocated some money for that ended up going to other places, and all of a sudden, we had more to offer. That's the beauty of free agency; that's what makes it fun. Your ability to pivot and your ability, when you miss on something, to go and do something else with it. That allowed us to go after Calvin and make a push to go get him."
As Callahan continued, my audio went to hell in the crowded ballroom, but I did catch this part.
"We're excited for Calvin. His speed and ability to get in and out of breaks are dynamic."
- Tee Higgins hasn't gotten the long-term contract extension he was hoping for (it's still early, obviously), and because of that, he asked to be traded from Cincinnati. A lot of work is going on behind the scenes to get the wide receiver to understand what the Bengals are capable of and what that could mean for Higgins on the open market next year. Still, in the moment, he understandably would prefer security that goes beyond this season.
"I'm excited to see Tee on the field for us next year, win a lot of games, and go compete for Super Bowls," said Taylor, who has crafted an elite offense with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Higgins. "That's where I'm at with Tee."
I asked if they had spoken since the request, but Taylor wasn't biting.
"That's one of the things we keep to ourselves in the offseason — the conversations we have with guys. I'm excited to see Tee on the field."
The Pats are operating without a number one wideout and a number two wideout on their roster. Aside from the draft, their best bet may be to make a move via trade. But, as I illustrated in our weekend notebook, there's a heavy price to be paid, and this team may not be in a position to surrender assets in addition to the mega contract.
- While the Pats have partially reconfigured their quarterback room, adding Jacoby Brissett ("the consummate professional," said Stefanski), likely adding a rookie and sending Mac Jones packing, the Steelers took a blow torch to that position, signing Russell Wilson, trading for Justin Fields and trading away Kenny Pickett. Wilson is not the player he was in Seattle, but Pittsburgh is hopeful that pairing him with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will lead to a more explosive offense. And yes, as of right now, Russ is the #1.
"The term that I've used is that Russell has pole position," said Tomlin. "Why do I use that term? During this time when we're not formally working, man, I just think it's beneficial. His experience in the National Football League. His process has been honed and perfected; talking about over a 12-month calendar is not only good for him but for the team. Good for receivers, tight ends, etc. Russell has those resources, man, that structure, and that creates a synergy for this time of year."
However, Tomlin isn't ruling out Fields, saying once they get to training camp, the former top-10 pick will get opportunities to compete. There has been the notion in Pittsburgh and elsewhere that Fields may need to be broken down to be built back up, but the Steelers aren't looking in the rearview mirror; instead, they're focused on the here and now.
"I'm not judging anything that was done in Chicago. That's not my business. I just look at the pedigree of the talent, the things that are not relative to coaching."
The Pats could have signed both players but chose the well-respected Brissett, who has ties to new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Meanwhile, a couple of Steelers have migrated north to join the Pats. Defensive lineman Armon Watts, a solid role player who logged 25% of the snaps last season, was not a priority for Pittsburgh in free agency (they have a lot of bodies up front). He joined New England for a one-year deal that could pay him up to $3 million.
As for Chukwuma Okorafor, the Pats see him as the front-runner to play left tackle. The six-year veteran has started 59 of his 77 NFL games, nearly all at right tackle. He got benched in his final season with the Steelers for criticizing the play-calling (he wasn't alone in that), but Tomlin was complimentary of his former player.
"They're getting a very versatile, capable guy," he said. "A guy that started at both left and right tackle, a guy that's both accountable and professional."
- Speaking of Van Pelt, he is one of three assistants - Scott Peters and T.C. McCartney, the others - who came to New England from the Browns. Stefanski smiled when I referred to Foxborough as Cleveland East. It was a weird dynamic for Stefanski this offseason. Almost immediately, he announced Van Pelt's dismissal. League sources believe that was not about the job Van Pelt had done - he got five QBs ready to play this year - and more about DeShaun Watson and the impatience the front office and ownership have in their quarterback's play after fully guaranteeing that enormous contract.
"Great coaches, great people. Alex is a really really incredible quarterback mind. How he sees the game. He's going to put together a system that makes sense for their quarterbacks and make sure they play to the strengths of their players.
"With T.C. (he's) been in different systems, he's coached multiple positions, so he's very prepared to lead that room.
"With Scott, he gave us great reps with all our offensive line with technique. He's a master technician, and I know he's ready to grow in his role as well."
Van Pelt was the Browns' OC for four seasons, but Stefanski has always called the plays. I wanted to know what Van Pelt's responsibilities were.
"It's a variety of things. It's so many things," said Stefanski. "On game day, it's obviously eyes and ears and giving you a feel for what they're seeing. AVP has seen so many games, both from the lens of a quarterback, a backup quarterback, and a coach. He's got a great feel for the game on Sunday."
Stefanski is in the final year of his deal and is the reigning NFL Coach of the Year. So it would seem he is safe and should be in line for a new contract, but that hasn't come yet {**UPDATE - Browns ownership said they're closing in on new deals with both Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry**}. And the fact that he turned over a half-dozen coaches on his offensive staff for a team that was 10th in scoring last season has raised many questions about what is happening. Of those changes, Stefanski would only say that they re-evaluate everything at the end of the season and are excited for fresh ideas with the hope of "getting better."
After floundering offensively for all of last season, the Pats are hoping for the same.
