NFL Player News

Carolina agreed Wednesday to acquire Mayfield from Cleveland in exchange for a 2024 conditional fifth-round draft pick, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

The deal, which is pending a physical, sets the stage for Mayfield to join a quarterback room that also includes Sam Darnold. The two thus are in line to compete for the Panthers' starting job this summer, while Jacoby Brissett profiles as the clear-cut No. 2 option behind Deshaun Watson in Cleveland.

Herbert believes he'll benefit from a full offseason of practices, with improving his footwork in the pocket being a key point of emphasis, Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com reports.

Herbert is in the midst of his first "normal" offseason, as his first two years in the NFL coincided with the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chargers also had a major coaching staff change between Years 1 and 2, with Los Angeles bringing in head coach Brandon Staley and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi last winter. Both are back for 2022, as are Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The biggest offseason loss might be tight end Jared Cook, who was replaced by Gerald Everett, while the key addition could be first-round pick Zion Johnson at right guard. On paper, the Chargers have their best offensive line in years, with 2021 first-round pick Rashawn Slater entrenched at left tackle and 2021 free-agent additions Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler joining Johnson on the interior. If the offense has a weakness, it's either tight end or right tackle, though even that might be nitpicking. In other words, Herbert is well positioned for another top-five fantasy showing among quarterbacks.

Winston (knee) posted a video Tuesday on his personal Instagram account showing himself throwing without a left knee brace.

Winston is working his way back from an ACL tear and additional MCL damage to the knee, which was surgically repaired. While participating in OTAs with teammates earlier this summer, Winston did wear the brace, but now eight months removed from suffering the knee injury, he appears to have cleared another hurdle in the rehab process. Winston may still have some limitations when training camp kicks off July 26, but he appears to be trending toward Week 1 availability.

Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy said Lawrence has quickly learned the team's new offensive system and that the quarterback was already "making quicker decisions" by the end of OTAs in June, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

The 2021 first overall pick endured a difficult rookie campaign during which he completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,641 yards with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, and he also rushed for 334 yards and two touchdowns while losing five fumbles. The typical rookie difficulties were exacerbated by previous coach Urban Meyer's dysfunctional leadership, but Lawrence now has a fully revamped coaching staff around him led by new head coach Doug Pederson. Jacksonville also spent big in free agency, bringing in wide receiver Christian Kirk, wide receiver Zay Jones, tight end Evan Engram and guard Brandon Scherff to provide a significant boost to the quarterback's supporting cast. Lawrence's outlook is certainly improved heading into 2022 compared to where he finished last season, but it remains to be seen if that results in him being even a semi-reliable option for fantasy managers.

Allen said during last month's minicamp that verbiage and protections have remained the same under new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, who previously served as Buffalo's QBs coach for three years, ESPN.com's Alaina Getzenberg reports.

Dorsey replaces Brian Daboll, now head coach of the Giants. Had Daboll not left, Dorsey likely would've, as his work in Buffalo put him on the fast track for an OC job. The Bills still have more continuity than most teams, with Allen throwing to fellow holdovers Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie and Dawson Knox, while the new additions include slot receiver Jamison Crowder, backup tight end O.J. Howard and fifth-round rookie wideout Khalil Shakir. The team did part ways with Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley, both of whom faded last year, and the Bills are counting on Davis and the other young guys to step up in 2022. Dorsey could try to get his RBs more involved in the passing game after Buffalo spent a second-round pick on James Cook, but it'll likely be Diggs and Davis leading the way as preferred targets for Allen and his cannon of a right arm.

Rush is expected to be the Cowboys' No. 2 quarterback this season behind Dak Prescott, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old could face a camp challenge for the job from Will Grier, who was a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2019, but Rush earned a lot of goodwill by leading the Cowboys to victory in his lone start last year Week 8 against the Vikings. If Prescott stays healthy in 2022, however, his backup isn't likely to see much work, regardless of who it is.

Watson's hearing before the NFL and NFLPA's jointly appointed disciplinary officer ended Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

After three days in front of the officer, the league is drawing closer to concluding its 15-month long investigation into Watson, who faced 24 civil suits for allegations of sexual misconduct. All but four of those were settled Tuesday, June 21, and among them one suit added his former team, the Texans, as a defendant Monday. According to Cabot, the officer requested that post-hearing briefs from both parties be filed the week of July 11. Once those are submitted, a ruling on Watson's punishment likely won't be announced until mid-July, at the earliest, after which he'll have an opportunity to appeal any proposed suspension. As Cabot reported Monday, the NFL is aiming for an indefinite ban of at least one year.

Watson's hearing in front of the NFL and NFLPA's jointly appointed disciplinary officer began Tuesday, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

The NFL is at the tail end of its 15-month long investigation into Watson's legal situation, which included 24 civil suits for allegations of sexual misconduct. Of those, 20 were settled last Tuesday while four are pending, with one of them amending its wording Monday to name the Texans as a defendant. According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the league is seeking an indefinite suspension which would last at least one year, but there remains no timetable for the disciplinary officer to make a decision on the matter.

Mayfield (shoulder) hasn't totally ruled out the possibility of a reconciliation with the Browns, but at this stage the signal-caller is ready to move on from the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2018, ESPN's Jake Trotter reports.

"I think for that to happen there would have to be some reaching out," Mayfield noted of potentially remaining with Cleveland in the event that fellow quarterback Deshaun Watson is handed a lengthy suspension. "But we're ready to move on, I think -- on both sides." Per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are still trying to trade Mayfield, who is reportedly fully recovered from a torn labrum in his left non-throwing shoulder and is slated to be full go for the start of training camp. As things stand, however, it's presumed that Jacoby Brissett would handle the team's starting duties (backed up by Joshua Dobbs) if Watson is suspended.

Jackson reported to the Ravens' minicamp at 220 pounds after adding upwards of 15 pounds of muscle mass during the offseason.

The added strength is notable for Jackson as a quarterback who relies heavily on his rushing ability to threaten defenses. He missed the final four games of the 2021 season due to an ankle injury suffered in Cleveland, and the added bulk could help Jackson hold up over the course of the 17-game season. Reports around camp also noted that his offseason work as a passer was also paying dividends, as his passes had more zip and his fundamentals looked more crisp. Jackson is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, but an extension could be on the table before the season gets underway.