NFL Player News

The Rams selected Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 13th overall.

In what might go down as the most shocking pick of the first round, the Rams picked Simpson as their quarterback of the future at the 13th pick, something around 20 slots earlier than most projected Simpson to go off the board. Simpson (6-foot-1, 211 pounds) only started one year at Alabama and posted troubling efficiency numbers (64.5 percent completed, 7.5 YPA), but to be fair the surrounding cast at Alabama was probably the worst it has been in some number of years. The Rams know Matthew Stafford and his creaky back can only take so many more hits, and with the Simpson selection the team resolved to get ahead of whenever Stafford has to hang up the cleats.

The Raiders selected Mendoza in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, first overall.

Mendoza (6-foot-5, 236 pounds) was all but locked in as the first overall pick as soon as the draft order was set, because franchise quarterback prospects go first overall and Mendoza has everything teams look for in that regard. Even as a modest recruit out of Miami who had to go all the way to out west Cal to find a starting opportunity at the FBS level, it was clear by about mid-October of the 2025 season - his first and only season at Indiana - that Mendoza had established himself as the top QB in the country. Indeed, the Hoosiers went 16-0 in 2025 and Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy in what went down as one of the most memorable storybook seasons in college football history. Mendoza was utterly dominant in 2025, completing 72.0 percent of his passes at 9.3 yards per attempt, producing an outrageous 41 passing touchdowns on just 379 attempts versus six interceptions. Though not a runner by initial inclination, Mendoza is plenty capable and decisive as a rusher, offering both athleticism and power. With new coach Klint Kubiak running the show the Raiders offense should soon be the best it has been in a number of years, though the exact timing of Mendoza's full arrival remains to be seen. The Raiders signed Kirk Cousins to a one-year deal this offseason, and Kubiak previously said that it's not his preference to place a rookie at the starting QB position. Mendoza can force the issue by outplaying Cousins in training camp, but at worst Mendoza is expected to take over as starter at some point before the 2026 season concludes. Whenever Mendoza takes over, there's reason to expect he'll be at least an average starting signal-caller soon or immediately from that point.

Sanders started Cleveland's first 11-on-11 team period at voluntary minicamp Tuesday, though he rotated reps with fellow QBs Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Sanders is firmly in the mix in Cleveland's quarterback competition, though there isn't necessarily much information to glean from the chronology of team drills at this stage in the offseason. That said, new head coach Todd Monken did note that "[t]he plan was to have [Sanders] have a few more reps, but to let Deshaun [Watson] and [Sanders] both have reps with the ones." Monken's comments essentially confirm assumptions that Sanders is entering spring workouts as the favorite for No. 1 QB reps over Watson, while Gabriel ranks closer to No. 3 on the depth chart, though things stand to be fluid given the ongoing nature of this positional competition. Across eight regular-season appearances (seven starts) as a rookie, Sanders completed 57 percent of his pass attempts for 1,400 yards, seven TDs and 10 INTs.

Colts coach Shane Steichen noted Tuesday that Jones is already handling dropbacks at this stage of his recovery from a torn right Achilles, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Jones suffered his Achilles tear on Dec. 7 last year, so the QB still has a way to go in his recovery, and the Colts have not yet offered a timeline on when Jones might be fully cleared. Steichen did note that the signal caller is having a "phenomenal rehab," adding that he's confident Jones is doing everything he can to be ready sooner rather than later. With Jones still on the mend, Riley Leonard will handle first-team reps during OTAs, as Anthony Richardson (eye) -- who has requested a trade -- wasn't present at all for the start of Indy's voluntary workout sessions.

Grier is signing with Carolina on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Grier will sign on as the Panthers' third-string QB, behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett, providing the team with positional depth in advance of the 2026 NFL Draft. A 2019 third-round pick, Grier hasn't logged any regular-season action since he made two appearances as a rookie with Carolina.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Monday that Jones is progressing well in his recovery from the torn Achilles the quarterback suffered in December and added that the club is shooting for the QB to be ready to play by Week 1 of the upcoming season, James Palmer of The Athletic reports.

Palmer notes that the Colts aren't putting a timeline on Jones' return to game action, but Ballard's comments indicate that the signal-caller could be ready from the outset of the campaign. Ballard said that Jones is currently throwing and moving and is in a "really good spot," echoing the viewpoint the QB shared on The Pat McAfee Show in mid-March. Indianapolis placed the transition tag on Jones in early March before signing him to a two-year deal less than two weeks later, making it clear that the organization views him as a central part of the team's future.

Stafford and the Rams are progressing toward a new contract extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Stafford may not attend all offseason activities until a new extension is finalized by the sound of things, though Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports that the age-38 QB is present for the start of Los Angeles' voluntary workout program Monday. Of course, with Stafford coming off an MVP season in which he threw a career-high 46 TDs to go with 4,707 passing yards, there's little reason to be concerned about rust. His current deal runs through the 2026 season, though head coach Sean McVay expressed optimism earlier this offseason that Stafford could extend his career beyond this upcoming campaign. Meanwhile, star wideout Puka Nacua is attending voluntary workouts after having checked into a rehab facility in March.

Mahomes (knee) is in attendance for the start of Kansas City's voluntary workouts Monday, Dave Skretta of The Associated Press reports.

Head coach Andy Reid said Mahomes is participating in weight training and meetings as the 30-year-old QB continues to progress in his recovery from surgery undergone in mid-December to repair ACL and LCL tears in his left knee. Mahomes said in mid-January that "the goal" is "to play Week 1 and have no restrictions," but he cautioned that he "can't predict what happens throughout the process." Monday kicked off Kansas City's two-week period of strength and conditioning, after which point the team will begin limited on-field work and walkthroughs. At that stage, the extent of Mahomes' participation will be worth monitoring. Of course, the expectation is that new backup quarterback Justin Fields (knee) will operate as the Chiefs' top signal-caller for most of the offseason.

Garoppolo is reportedly considering retirement, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Garoppolo has spent the last two seasons with the Rams as Matthew Stafford's top backup, but the 34-year-old, who has 64 career regular-season starts to his credit, has yet to decide if he'll continue playing in 2026. For now, Stafford and Stetson Bennett are the QBs the Rams currently have under contract, but it's possible the team could add depth at the position at the upcoming NFL Draft.

Richardson (eye) is not participating in the start of the Colts' voluntary offseason workout program Monday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.

Richardson and cornerback Kenny Moore both submitted trade requests earlier this offseason and now are sitting out voluntary workouts. On Richardson's part, however, it's worth noting that GM Chris Ballard said at the annual league meeting in late March that a scenario in which the 2023 first-round pick remains in Indianapolis "definitely" exists, per Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. With the Colts having locked in Daniel Jones (Achilles) as their starter via a two-year extension, a mutual parting of ways with Richardson seems to make the most sense for both sides, but that depends on a trade partner materializing. Ballard said Monday that Richardson still is recovering from his eye injury, but "he's cleared for activity and doing everything," James Boyd of The Athletic reports.