AFC East Notebook: Bills Face Trust Issues, Dolphins’ Robinson Eyes Bounce-Back, Patriots Embrace Youth Movement
As the offseason ramps up, the AFC East is already buzzing with storylines that could shape the 2026 season. From trust issues in Buffalo to a young pass rusher in Miami trying to bounce back, and a Patriots team leaning into youth under Mike Vrabel, there’s no shortage of intrigue across the division. Let’s break it down.
Buffalo Bills: Trust Still a Work in Progress for Keon Coleman
Bills GM Brandon Beane didn’t sugarcoat it-wide receiver Keon Coleman’s rookie season came off the tracks. And according to Beane, the team is still trying to rebuild the bridge.
“He obviously got off the rails a little bit with the maturity stuff, the time factor, and that was disappointing,” Beane said. The fallout?
A suspension, missed games, and a growing disconnect between Coleman and the team. “Every game he’s missing, the trust and the camaraderie is kind of dropping for him.
That’s just the truth. And I don’t know that fully ever recovered.”
It’s a candid assessment and a rare window into how quickly a young player can lose ground-not just on the depth chart, but in the locker room. Coleman has the physical tools to be a contributor, but in Buffalo, availability and accountability often go hand in hand. If he’s going to carve out a role in 2026, it’ll start with regaining that trust.
On the other side of the ball, the Bills are shaking things up. Former Wisconsin defensive coordinator and longtime NFL safety Jim Leonhard is stepping in to lead the defense. Expect a philosophical shift.
“We’re going to be an attacking defense up front and in the back end,” Leonhard said. “The biggest stat in football is turnovers, so we’re going to be aggressive, we’re going to fly around.”
Leonhard’s approach signals a move from a more reactive scheme to one that forces the issue-up front and in coverage. That attacking mentality could be exactly what this defense needs to take the next step.
Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson Looks to Rebound After Injury-Plagued Season
Chop Robinson’s 2025 season didn’t go the way he-or the Dolphins-had hoped. The second-year outside linebacker finished with just four sacks, a number that doesn’t reflect his explosive potential. Injuries, including two concussions, played a major role.
“Up and down,” Robinson said of his season. “I had to deal with a lot of injuries… I was healthy my whole career.
I’m glad it happened. It was a learning experience.”
That’s a mature take from a young player who’s clearly using the adversity as fuel. Robinson isn’t out to prove anything to critics or fans-he’s focused on proving it to himself.
“I’ve mainly got to prove it to myself,” he said. “I don’t really got to prove it to anybody but myself.”
If he can stay healthy, Robinson has the kind of speed and bend off the edge that can change games. Miami will be counting on that in 2026.
New England Patriots: Vrabel’s Vision, Gonzalez’s Loyalty, and Campbell’s Accountability
Mike Vrabel is setting the tone early in his tenure as Patriots head coach, and he’s not hiding from the realities of the NFL business model.
“The team is looking for younger, better, cheaper players,” Vrabel said. “Everybody’s job is not to let that happen.”
That’s the kind of straight talk that resonates in a locker room. It’s also a clear signal that New England will be aggressive in turning over the roster-and that no one’s job is safe. Vrabel’s own playing days give him credibility when he talks about staying a step ahead of the next draft pick.
One young player who’s already making his mark is cornerback Christian Gonzalez. He’s eligible for an extension, but he’s not sweating the details.
“This is where I got drafted. I don’t want to be anywhere else,” Gonzalez said.
That’s exactly what you want to hear from a cornerstone player. The Patriots have a long history of building around homegrown talent, and Gonzalez has the skill set to be a long-term fixture in the secondary.
On the offensive line, left tackle Will Campbell revealed he played through a torn knee ligament late in the season. He wasn’t 100 percent in the playoffs, but he’s not using that as a shield from criticism.
“When you don’t perform… people expect a certain thing, and I expect more of myself,” Campbell said. “It doesn’t suck for anyone more than it sucks for me.”
That kind of accountability matters-especially at a position as critical as left tackle. Campbell knows the expectations that come with being a high pick and a well-paid player. Now it’s about getting healthy and delivering on that promise.
Meanwhile, Vrabel confirmed that defensive coordinator Terrell Williams has been medically cleared to return. As for whether Zak Kuhr will remain in the DC role for 2026?
“I’ll work through all those things here in the next couple of weeks, days, however long those decisions take,” Vrabel said.
Final Thoughts
The AFC East is in a fascinating place right now. The Bills are trying to reestablish their identity on both sides of the ball.
The Dolphins are banking on young talent like Chop Robinson taking the next step. And the Patriots, under Vrabel, are leaning into a new era defined by youth, competition, and accountability.
It’s February, but the groundwork for September is already being laid. And in this division, nothing comes easy.