Veteran running back Frank Gore is entering his 16th NFL season. Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Jets RB Frank Gore: AFC East 'wide open' without Tom Brady

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/21/20

Veteran running back Frank Gore only signed with the New York Jets earlier this month, but he's not wasting time making friends with former employers and members of the New England Patriots.

The 37-year-old Gore, who played for the Miami Dolphins in 2018 and the Buffalo Bills last season, spoke with reporters via a video conference about the altered state of the AFC East following the departure of six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"It's wide open," Gore said of the division. "(Tom) Brady's gone, and it's wide open. You've got young quarterbacks, Sam Darnold and Josh (Allen). I don't know what Miami is doing or whatever. I think it's wide open."

The Patriots intend to start second-year pro Jarrett Stidham under center. Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick wants to start in Week 1 for the Dolphins, but he recently acknowledged Tua Tagovailoa, the fifth pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, could win the role:

Gore also spoke about being behind fellow running back Le'Veon Bell on the New York depth chart:

"I'm happy to be playing this game at my age," Gore said. "I'm happy that this organization is giving me an opportunity. I'm just coming in to work and help all the young guys, and show them young guys I still can play. Whenever I get my number called, I'll just try to go out and make a play for our team to be successful. I'm very excited."

The Jets finished the 2019 campaign with a 7-9 record. Buffalo suffered an overtime loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the postseason. Miami finished last in the division at 5-11.

More must-reads: