For the last twenty years, the AFC East has been the New England Patriots and then everyone else. The Patriots have systemically churned out 11+ wins per season, claimed their annual AFC East title and moved onward and upward come January. That might still be the case in 2020 — but if it is, it will be the best work yet by head coach Bill Belichick.
Because as the ghost of Tom Brady threatens to haunt New England, and in some ways already is, the rest of the AFC East is gearing up to take back what they’ve been deprived of for so long.
The Patriots have never been worse off. The rest of the AFC East? There are varying degrees of expectations. But all expect to be better in 2020 and all expect to compete in what could be a “wild, wild west” of a division. Here’s a breakdown of where each of the AFC East’s teams stands as of today.
Miami Dolphins
2019 record: 5-11 (Won last 2)
2020 salary cap space: $39.98M (3rd in NFL)
2020 NFL Draft selections: 14 (5 in the top-75)
Key additions: CB Byron Jones, LB Kyle Van Noy, DE Shaq Lawson, OG Ereck Flowers, RB Jordan Howard
Key departures: OC Chad O’Shea
New England Patriots
2019 record: 12-4 (Lost last 2)
2020 salary cap space: $4.60M (29th in NFL)
2020 NFL Draft selections: 12 (1 in the top-75)
Key additions: QB Brian Hoyer, DL Beau Allen
Key departures: QB Tom Brady, DL Danny Shelton, LB Jamie Collins, LB Kyle Van Noy, OL Ted Karras
Buffalo Bills
2019 record: 10-6 (Lost last 1)
2020 salary cap space: $32.92M (5th in NFL)
2020 NFL Draft selections: 7 (1 in the top-75)
Key additions: WR Stefon Diggs, DE Mario Addison, LB AJ Klein
Key departures: DE Shaq Lawson, DL Jordan Phillips
New York Jets
2019 record: 7-9 (Won last 2)
2020 salary cap space: $42.08M (2nd in NFL)
2020 NFL Draft selections: 8 (3 in the top-75)
Key additions: OT George Fant, C Connor McGovern, CB Pierre Desir, OG Greg Van Roten
Key departures: OT Brandon Shell, OT Kelvin Beachum, CB Trumaine Johnson, WR Robby Anderson (pending free agent, could return)