What is the future of the AFC East?

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I'd still worry about the Jets. They have the best CB, best DL, and second best WR in the AFC East. They have a good cheap RB. They still have Adams under contract for next year.

They screwed up with their OLine. They can fix that with one draft.

Cut Rodgers and designate him a post June 1st cut.

Tank the rest of this year. Draft QB OT, OL, and DB next year.

Go after Ben Johnson. If he can make Goff work he can probably do the same with another QB. See if you can get lucky like Tampa and Minnesota has with a retread QB for a year. Justin Fields or someone like that. 

 

[corta765]

51 minutes ago, TheWei44 said:

I can see what you're saying, but I just doubt Tua has a string of nearly perfect games in him this year.  And he's one hit away from maybe being in concussion protocol.

The issue with Tua is last year everything fell perfect between health, division, and offense... and they still blew it. Their depth is less now, the offense will have decisions to make on aging pieces like Hill who is one of a kind and once he is gone changes is it, and the coach while a good offensive mind regularly fails in adjustments.

 

Sure maybe in the next 5 years everything falls perfect again for Tua and his play/health hold, but I just do not see it like you said.

[947]

New England is likely going to have a top-3 draft pick. They'll probably add the top WR in the draft. There's also a possibility that the pick is high enough that somebody will trade up a few spots for a QB & give the Pats more premium picks, which they'd use on OL. If the draft goes well for them, and Maye is legit, they could become a relevant team pretty quick. This is exactly how the Bengals were built.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

This thread isn’t intended to trash the rest of the trash teams in the AFC East. We heard A LOT this offseason about Miami and the Jets overtaking the Bills. 2 months later, that sounds hilarious and a lot of “football people” lost credibility here. 😂😂 

 

The question is, “what’s next?” The Bills have owned the last 5 years of the division. Entering the season, 2 teams had lower odds to win the division. That was clearly ridiculous. Those 2 teams pushed their chips in and flamed out in epic fashion. Each team loaded up with vets putting out on 18. They both appear heading for massive rebuilds (the Jets more than the Fins).
 

The Bills arrow and trajectory is pointing up. This was a bit of a “reset” but without any step back. What does the division look like in 2025 and beyond? How long does the Bills run go? What changes do our “rivals” make? Who is the biggest threat? I personally think by late 2025 the Pats may be the next best team in the division. 😂😂 It’s interesting to me because generally after 4 straight division titles, the gap closes. It appears that the gap may never be bigger than it is right now. 

 

I'd say the dolphins probably have the best shot? At least for next year.  

 

Patriots lack homegrown talent.  Offensive line is weak.  They added a couple nice WR pieces, but its still not good.  Defensively Gonzalez seems to be a player, but the front 7 lacks impact players.  Free agency and trades can fill some gaps, but when your homegrown talent isn't good, you end up with depth issues a top heavy roster, and a lack of high caliber players. 

 

Jets will go as far as rodgers takes them.  I'm not sure anyone wants to see him in a jets uniform next year and his contract is pretty catastrophic the next 2 seasons whether he plays or not.  They have a number of older players, and their younger players are running out of cheap seasons on their contracts.  If you're sauce gardner, do you want to re-sign with the Jets knowing there isn't a future plan at QB?  Same thoughts will happen for Wilson, Hall, Vera-tucker, etc. 

[Fleezoid]

1 hour ago, mjt328 said:

It's all about the Quarterback.

 

The 1990s were owned by the Bills (Jim Kelly), with the Dolphins close on their heels (Dan Marino).

From 2001-2019, nobody could touch the New England Patriots (Tom Brady).

Now we are back on the Bills with Josh Allen.

 

Until those teams can land a QB on a similar level as Allen, it's going to be tough for them to make progress towards the division.

 

The Jets took a big swing, and it hasn't worked out well.  Aaron Rodgers is not the same player he used to be.  Just looking at his face during games, you really have to wonder if he regrets not retiring.  Last year was a total loss.  They had to fire their coach a few games into this season, and now even a wild card seems like a tall task.  They can void Rodgers contract after 2025, and it almost seems inevitable they will be starting over again at that point.

 

The Dolphins are now stuck in the Tua boat, which is going nowhere for them.  He's too good for them to let walk.  He's not good enough to put the team on his shoulders.  Not to mention the massive injury risk.  Before long, that contract is going to start weighing on the salary cap, which means less supporting talent around him.  Age is also slowly becoming a factor on that roster.

 

The Patriots are way too early to tell.  Rookie quarterback.  Beginning of a total rebuild.

 

 

Completely agree here. Tua is a good QB, but you can't thrive on offense if you have to scheme and create plays to specifically protect the QB. The playbook shrinks if you constantly have to get the ball out in about 2 seconds. Eventually your QB has to be able to extend plays. Not sure how this is going to go for them. That contract should have never happened. 

[hondo in seattle]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

This thread isn’t intended to trash the rest of the trash teams in the AFC East. We heard A LOT this offseason about Miami and the Jets overtaking the Bills. 2 months later, that sounds hilarious and a lot of “football people” lost credibility here. 😂😂 

 

The question is, “what’s next?” The Bills have owned the last 5 years of the division. Entering the season, 2 teams had lower odds to win the division. That was clearly ridiculous. Those 2 teams pushed their chips in and flamed out in epic fashion. Each team loaded up with vets putting out on 18. They both appear heading for massive rebuilds (the Jets more than the Fins).
 

The Bills arrow and trajectory is pointing up. This was a bit of a “reset” but without any step back. What does the division look like in 2025 and beyond? How long does the Bills run go? What changes do our “rivals” make? Who is the biggest threat? I personally think by late 2025 the Pats may be the next best team in the division. 😂😂 It’s interesting to me because generally after 4 straight division titles, the gap closes. It appears that the gap may never be bigger than it is right now. 

 

As it looks right now, the Bills will own the AFCE for years.  

But looks are often deceiving with the NFL so full of surprises that it's hard to be surprised anymore. 

 

Not long ago, out on the West Coast, the 49ers playoff chances were seemingly ruined when they lost their top two QBs to injury.  Then soft-spoken, unheralded Mr. Irrelevant became an unlikely star.  

 

In Indy not many years ago, their QB threw for 39 TDs and then promptly retired at the young age of 29, stunning the football world.  They haven't been relevant since.  

 

Personally, I wouldn't dare predict the future of the AFCE.  Unforeseeable things will happen.

[Billl]

37 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

I'd still worry about the Jets. They have the best CB, best DL, and second best WR in the AFC East. They have a good cheap RB. They still have Adams under contract for next year.

They screwed up with their OLine. They can fix that with one draft.

Cut Rodgers and designate him a post June 1st cut.

Tank the rest of this year. Draft QB OT, OL, and DB next year.

Go after Ben Johnson. If he can make Goff work he can probably do the same with another QB. See if you can get lucky like Tampa and Minnesota has with a retread QB for a year. Justin Fields or someone like that. 

 

Ben Johnson is going to have his pick of every available HC job.  He’d be crazy to choose a dysfunctional franchise like the Jets.  That place is a career killer.  

[GunnerBill]

6 minutes ago, Billl said:

Ben Johnson is going to have his pick of every available HC job.  He’d be crazy to choose a dysfunctional franchise like the Jets.  That place is a career killer.  

 

He is clearly waiting for a situation that is perfect. The worry for him is you wait so get gun shy and nowhere is ever perfect enough. But I agree there is NOTHING attractive about that Jets job. 

[MJS]

None of the other teams have good leadership in place. So, they will always be teams that fall apart. People bash McDermott, but he provides steady leadership and direction, consistently motivates the team to get out of slumps, and establishes a culture of winning, growth, and player development.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

He is clearly waiting for a situation that is perfect. The worry for him is you wait so get gun shy and nowhere is ever perfect enough. But I agree there is NOTHING attractive about that Jets job. 

Where would he go?  Dallas has many of the right pieces in place.  Unlikely but possible Bengals fire Taylor.  Philly is playing well now so it seems unlikely they will fire their guy. Jacksonville may fire Pederson but is Lawrence a true franchise QB? Can't think off the top of my head any other good spots. Jets have some nice building blocks.  You don't think a good defense, Wilson, and Hall are decent? 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

34 minutes ago, Billl said:

Ben Johnson is going to have his pick of every available HC job.  He’d be crazy to choose a dysfunctional franchise like the Jets.  That place is a career killer.  

How many teams that will have HC openings aren't dysfunctional? Bills were dysfunctional until they drafted Allen. Lions were dysfunctional and are no longer. I agree the Jets are a mess. Let's not forget though they have a Lombardi (lol wasn't called that in 1968) and have been to twice as many AFC Championship games in the 21st century than the Bills have.   If they take Allen instead of Darnold the last 7 years is a much different history.  

[SoTier]

45 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

I'd still worry about the Jets. They have the best CB, best DL, and second best WR in the AFC East. They have a good cheap RB. They still have Adams under contract for next year.

They screwed up with their OLine. They can fix that with one draft.

Cut Rodgers and designate him a post June 1st cut.

Tank the rest of this year. Draft QB OT, OL, and DB next year.

Go after Ben Johnson. If he can make Goff work he can probably do the same with another QB. See if you can get lucky like Tampa and Minnesota has with a retread QB for a year. Justin Fields or someone like that. 

 

 

The Jets are going to remain the Jests as long as Woody Johnson owns them.  

 

The Jets haven't drafted a competent QB since they took Chad Pennington in the first round of the 2000 draft. What makes you think they'll find one in the 2025 draft?  They have less draft capital for 2025 because of the pick(s) they gave up to get Adams.  Expecting to get three starting caliber players, including a franchise QB and an OT, out of one draft with only a single first round pick is unrealistic for any team, but especially for a team with an owner who thinks he's a football expert with a track record that proves he isn't.

 

Because of Rodgers' contract the next 2 years as well as the money they've committed to Rodgers' pals, they probably can't afford to pay even a retread QB unless he's willing to play near the league veteran minimum.

 

Why is the world would Ben Johnson have any interest in coaching the Jests?   Rodgers' legacy is an albatross weighing down the Jests' future, but Woody Johnson has been and will continue to be a millstone on the Jests' future.  

[corta765]

45 minutes ago, Billl said:

Ben Johnson is going to have his pick of every available HC job.  He’d be crazy to choose a dysfunctional franchise like the Jets.  That place is a career killer.  

Same with Joe Brady. I laugh when people bring up Brady to the Saints when after Johnson he is probably the top head coach candidate and would pick a dumpster fire like them.

 

Their may be only 32 spots but picking a location with stability from owner to gm matters as much if not more then the roster.

[GunnerBill]

34 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Where would he go?  Dallas has many of the right pieces in place.  Unlikely but possible Bengals fire Taylor.  Philly is playing well now so it seems unlikely they will fire their guy. Jacksonville may fire Pederson but is Lawrence a true franchise QB? Can't think off the top of my head any other good spots. Jets have some nice building blocks.  You don't think a good defense, Wilson, and Hall are decent? 

 

I think Philly if Sirianni gets fired (and I still think that is very possible). As for the Jets: awful ownership, a ton of dead money you are going to have to eat over the next two years of gutting the roster of Rodgers' guys and Saleh's guys. Sauce and Wilson are excellent players. But they are end of year 3. You are about to be paying them like elite players rather than getting them at a discount and you have no Quarterback. Plus an impatient fan base. No proper home stadium. I just don't know what there is to attract you to the job other than they have three elite level talents in Williams, Sauce and Wilson. 

[loyal2dagame]

The AFC East has at least 5 more years of suffering.

 

The Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen are inevitable. 

🫰

[gonzo1105]

I think Ben Johnson goes to the Bengals if they don’t make the playoffs 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

It's the 'new' AFC South? 🤔🤨

[Ethan in Cleveland]

1 minute ago, SoTier said:

 

The Jets are going to remain the Jests as long as Woody Johnson owns them.  

 

The Jets haven't drafted a competent QB since they took Chad Pennington in the first round of the 2000 draft. What makes you think they'll find one in the 2025 draft?  They have less draft capital for 2025 because of the pick(s) they gave up to get Adams.  Expecting to get three starting caliber players, including a franchise QB and an OT, out of one draft with only a single first round pick is unrealistic for any team, but especially for a team with an owner who thinks he's a football expert with a track record that proves he isn't.

 

Because of Rodgers' contract the next 2 years as well as the money they've committed to Rodgers' pals, they probably can't afford to pay even a retread QB unless he's willing to play near the league veteran minimum.

 

Why is the world would Ben Johnson have any interest in coaching the Jests?   Rodgers' legacy is an albatross weighing down the Jests' future, but Woody Johnson has been and will continue to be a millstone on the Jests' future.  

No defense of Johnson and everything you said is correct.  Rodgers contract and his person is an albatross around that franchise.  Maybe they can get one more decent year of play out of him, but my guess is he is a post June 1 cut and he retires.  

 

My counter is .... Collins, Losman, Edwards, EJ Manuel, Peterman.  Bills sucked at drafting a QB until they got one.  49ers gave away multiple picks for Trey Lance only to find a capable starter in the 7th round.  They are in QB purgatory like Bills were for nearly 20 years.  Just means they need to keep trying. 

 

Why can't they get three starters from one draft?  Bills got 3 in 2023, 4 in 2022, and 3 in 2021 if you count Hamlin now.  It can be done.  But I agree finding the QB is the great challenge.

 

Why would anyone have wanted to coach the Bills?  The Cowboys with their meddlesome owner?  The Jags with their overseas owner, London games, and dispassionate fan base?  Because they are one of 32 NFL HC jobs and only a few of those are open every year.  Johnson could very well wait or go to college but their are far worse rosters/situations in the NFL than the Jets.

[Kirby Jackson]

10 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

I’d say let’s see Drake Maye versus McD’s defense, before anointing the Pats as the next best challenger.  Wasn’t too long ago Mac Jones was being touted as the Pats future, how long did that last?  Between McD and Josh, the both have a way of showing they own this division.

Just to be clear, I don’t think that the Pats are necessarily a “threat” to the Bills at this point. I think by the end of next year, or the beginning of the following year, they are most likely the 2nd best team in the division. They have a QB with a lot of physical skills (which Mac never had) and a boatload of cap space. They are more likely to get good than Miami or the Jets IMO.

[qwksilver]

2 hours ago, Captain_Quint said:

I may be in the minority, but I think Miami has a run in them to finish the season. It would have to go perfectly for them to make the playoffs, as we pretty much have the division sewn up. But their offensive talent is undeniable when the backs and WRs are healthy and Tua is playing. Their offensive line has taken a step forward this year too. 

 

The defense is pretty bad, but if they score 30 or 40 points, they could stack some wins. I think that in this past game, if we don't slow the game down by giving up the run and staying fast on Hill and Waddle, they maybe score 45 and take the game. 

 

But as far as next year, they will now have the Tua contract to contend with and some decisions to make. 

I totally disagree with a run this year. It's November and it will eventually start getting cold, which is awful news for the fish and Tua as they are terrible at seasons end and when it below 40.

 

You are right with next year...