Answering biggest AFC East questions: Will Brady miss Gronk? Can young QBs make leap?
Dan Graziano, Jeff Saturday and Tim Hasselbeck reveal their biggest AFC East storylines heading into the season. (1:53)
It might seem as though summer just got into full swing, but we are a few weeks from the start of NFL training camp and only two and half months from the 2019 season.
NFL Nation is setting up the biggest storylines for each division. Here’s what to look for in the AFC East.
More questions: NFC East
Our reporters’ preseason picks:
Division winner: Patriots
Division MVP: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Hottest seat: Sean McDermott, Bills coach
Best newcomer: Le’Veon Bell, RB, Jets
Rising star: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Dolphins
Yes. Coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane earned goodwill from fans in 2017 when they led the franchise to its first playoff appearance since 1999. That kept fans off their backs when the Bills finished 6-10 last season, which was partly the result of trading quarterback Tyrod Taylor and drafting Josh Allen — and then watching their developing rookie quarterback become injured midseason. Fans understood Beane and McDermott did not see Taylor as the foundation of a long-term contender and are more hopeful Allen can be the franchise quarterback. As long as Allen takes a step forward in 2019, Beane and McDermott can survive into 2020 without making the playoffs. The top decision-makers seem to have sold the fan base on incremental improvements over instant gratification. — Mike Rodak
Can Josh Rosen keep the Dolphins from drafting a QB in the first round in 2020?
Rosen has to win the starting job first, and then we can discuss him being a part of the Dolphins’ long-term future. This spring, it has been the Ryan Fitzpatrick show, as the veteran has outplayed Rosen during organized team activities and minicamp. But the competition should heat up in training camp. Rosen has said he’s treating this like a one-year tryout to prove to the Dolphins he can be their franchise quarterback. After seven years of Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins can’t afford to settle at quarterback anymore. Rosen can prove himself worthy of further evaluation beyond 2019 if he can show consistent examples of leadership when he gets his chance to start. On a rebuilding team, the eye test — in practice and games — will have to be the true barometer for Rosen. If there are doubts about him, the Dolphins have to be prepared to draft a quarterback high in 2020. — Cameron Wolfe
How will quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots adapt after tight end Rob Gronkowski’s retirement?
This question might not have a definitive answer until deep into training camp. The Patriots’ offense under coordinator Josh McDaniels and Brady has always shaped itself to the personnel available, so if no more additions are made at tight end, it could lead to a de-emphasis of the position. Four-year veteran Matt LaCosse was running with the first unit in spring practices, but is he a realistic option to maintain a Gronk-type standard? No, but who really is? Veteran Benjamin Watson could be part of the mix, but he will miss the first four games of the season while serving an NFL suspension. “Move” option Stephen Anderson and 2018 seventh-round pick Ryan Izzo are next on the depth chart. However, there is always the possibility the Patriots swing a trade or an unexpected player comes available on the market. — Mike Reiss
Can quarterback Sam Darnold show significant improvement in Year 2, following the recent trend of Jared Goff, Mitchell Trubisky and Carson Wentz?
Darnold’s situation is similar to those of Goff and Trubisky in that he is going from a defense-minded coach (Todd Bowles) to a coach with an offensive background (Adam Gase). There’s nothing better for a young quarterback’s development than having a coach who sees the game through the eyes of the quarterback, as Goff and Trubisky showed with Sean McVay and Matt Nagy, respectively. It’s unrealistic to expect a Goff-like jump for Darnold because his supporting cast (see: offensive line) isn’t as strong as that of the Los Angeles Rams — or Wentz’s Philadelphia Eagles cast, for that matter. But Darnold has enough talent, and enough talented people around him, to replicate what Trubisky did in his second season — 24 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. Darnold should be able to raise his completion percentage (57.7) by a few points; the additions of RB Le’Veon Bell and WR Jamison Crowder will help in that respect. The key will be to cut down his interceptions (15 in 13 games), and he can do that by not throwing into tight coverage as often as he did last season. — Rich Cimini
The Live crew debates whether the Cowboys or the Eagles win will the NFC East.
Can Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz get over the injury bug?
Our reporters’ preseason picks:
Division winner: Eagles
Division MVP: Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles
Hottest seat: Jay Gruden, Redskins coach
Best newcomer: DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
Rising star: Jonathan Allen, DL, Redskins
Having suffered season-ending injuries each of the past two years (torn ACL/LCL, stress fracture in back), Wentz spent part of the offseason studying how to take better care of his body. He improved his diet and tweaked his training regimen in hopes it will lead to better health and greater career longevity. The Eagles are banking on Wentz staying upright. They moved on from Nick Foles and handed Wentz a four-year, $128 million contract extension. Only time will tell whether that investment will prove a wise one. What we know for now is Wentz looked like his old self this spring and has full intentions of returning to MVP-caliber form. This Eagles team is stacked from top to bottom. If Wentz can stay on the field, Philadelphia has a legit chance of going the distance. — Tim McManus
What will coordinator Kellen Moore bring to the Cowboys’ offense?
The Cowboys’ offense grew stale the past couple of seasons. While they ran the ball effectively and had timely plays under Scott Linehan, Dallas lacked explosive plays. The Cowboys had 39 pass plays of 20 yards or more in 2018. As a first-year coordinator, Moore will have a learning curve. He has one year of coaching experience, serving as the quarterbacks coach last season. He has never called plays but has long been considered a coach-in-waiting dating to his Boise State days, when he became the winningest quarterback in college football history. The base of the Cowboys’ offense remains — which coach Jason Garrett implemented as coordinator in 2007 — but Moore is bringing different elements that will marry some of the spread and run-pass options that have come from the college game to the NFL. In the offseason, Moore used more shifts and motions to run the same plays out of different looks, similar to what coach Sean McVay has done with the Los Angeles Rams. Moore’s creativity on the fly will be a bonus. Teammates have lauded his ability to see the game clearly in real time, which should allow the Cowboys to adjust better than they have in the past. — Todd Archer
When will rookie Dwayne Haskins take over as the Redskins’ starting quarterback?
The Redskins have consistently used one word when discussing their first-round draft pick: patience. They liked what they saw this spring in terms of Haskins’ talent and intelligence. The phrase “arm talent” has been used quite a bit. But before and after the draft, it was clear the Redskins felt he needed work. Haskins started 14 games at Ohio State, so his learning curve is bigger — Kyler Murray has similar experience, but his legs add a weapon Haskins lacks. Washington needs Haskins to improve his footwork — and some of that will come from quickening his reads so he doesn’t feel rushed under duress. The underlying issue: coach Jay Gruden’s job security. He’s entering Year 6 after missing the playoffs three straight seasons. He needs to win, and his desires might clash at times with the organization’s, knowing that Haskins’ development is key to the franchise’s future. But if the Redskins struggle early with Case Keenum or Colt McCoy, then there’s no good reason to keep Haskins sitting. — John Keim
Can the Giants’ offense be better without wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.?
New York is going to need an improved offense overall this season to achieve any level of success. The Giants have 61% of their salary cap earmarked for their offense, with only 37% on their defense. That puts the fate of their 2019 season on quarterback Eli Manning & Co. It seems like a ridiculous premise to improve without Beckham, who is one of the most lethal offensive weapons in football. But the Giants improved their offensive line, still have ample targets and are going to lean heavily on running back Saquon Barkley. It’s possible they’ll produce more with their spread-it-around “village” approach, considering they were a well-below-average unit (27th in points per game through eight games) for a good chunk of last season. — Jordan Raanan