NFL Player News

Rudolph isn't guaranteed a roster spot with the Steelers in 2022 after the team drafted Kenny Pickett with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

Rudolph will likely be in consideration for the starting quarterback job during camp, but Mitch Trubisky and Pickett seem like the much stronger options in the competition. While the 26-year-old Rudolph initially appeared to be in line for the No. 2 job to begin the season, Kaboly reports that the Oklahoma State product could struggle to make Pittsburgh's 53-man roster.

Trubisky will have additional competition for the starting quarterback job during training camp after the Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old was the clear favorite for the starting job when he signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh in mid-March, but Kaboly reports that Pickett should compete for the starting role once training camp gets underway. Trubisky is still seen as the frontrunner to serve as the No. 1 option to begin the season, but he's unlikely to have too much job security, particularly if Pickett impresses in practice and preseason games. Trubisky appeared in 10 games with the Bears in 2020 and completed 199 of 297 passes for 2,055 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions while rushing 33 times for 195 yards and a score.

The Steelers selected Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 20th overall.

The Steelers made Pickett the first quarterback selected, setting him up for a competition against free agent pickup Mitchell Trubisky. Pickett was basically disregarded as an NFL prospect his first four years at Pittsburgh, but in his fifth year he underwent a transformation perhaps never before seen at quarterback, going from plainly bad to about as good as anyone, throwing for 4,319 yards (67.2 percent completed, 8.7 YPA) and 42 touchdowns versus seven interceptions. He'll be a dual threat at the NFL level, too, after consistently posting standout rushing totals in college. Pickett's hands are small by quarterback standards and he had trouble with fumbles in the past, so that concern will linger even if he wears gloves. It would be somewhat discouraging if he can't beat Trubisky for the starting role.

The Giants don't intend to pick up the fifth-year option on Jones' contract, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.

Per Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York, exercising Jones' option would have committed the Giants to paying him $22.3 million in 2023. That said, if the 2019 first-rounder plays well this coming season, the team will have the option to pursue an extension with Jones or place the franchise tag on him next year. The QB, who turns 25 next month, remains atop the team's depth chart, now backed up by veteran signal-caller Tyrod Taylor.

The Cardinals exercised the fifth-year option on Murray's contract Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The move comes as no surprise, as Murray more or less has met expectations since Arizona made him the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. He's improved both his completion percentage and yards per attempt in each of his three seasons, topping out at 69.2 percent and 7.9 YPA in 2021. Murray also has combined for 70 passing touchdowns, 1,786 rushing yards and 20 more scores on the ground in 46 games. The quarterback's future with the organization has been called into question this offseason, with Murray expressing dissatisfaction with his contract and the Cardinals. Following Wednesday's news, though, Murray will be due roughly $30 million for the 2023 campaign, per Rapoport. Next season, Murray will have all of DeAndre Hopkins, James Conner, Zach Ertz, A.J. Green, Rondale Moore and potentially other offseason additions at his disposal in the passing game.

Lance is in line to handle all the first-team reps with the 49ers during OTAs while Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) remains sidelined, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. "We're excited for that opportunity that he has [in the spring]," 49ers general manager John Lynch said Monday.

Though both Garoppolo and head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged in the early weeks of the offseason that he would likely be donning a different uniform in 2022, the veteran signal-caller's ongoing recovery from right shoulder surgery, along with an active trade market that resulted in several other experienced quarterbacks being moved, prevented the 49ers from finding a trade partner. The San Francisco brass has since talked down the possibility of Garoppolo being traded or released, but at the very least, Lance looks like he'll be given every opportunity to compete for the starting job throughout the spring and early portion of the summer. With Garoppolo still in rehab mode, Lance will get the keys to the offense during OTAs and during minicamp, and with an impressive showing in those workouts, he could head into training camp in the driver's seat for the starting job even if Garoppolo is fully healthy and still on the roster by then.

49ers general manager John Lynch said Monday that he expects Garoppolo (shoulder) to start throwing around late June, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Garoppolo underwent shoulder surgery March 8, and despite reports saying he'd be sidelined for 4-to-6 months, he's been adamant that he'll be ready for training camp. However, health is only one concern for the quarterback this offseason, as the 49ers appear ready to give 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance a chance at taking the starting spot. "We believe in competition. We believe [Lance] is ready -- he is ready to show us, his teammates and the world he is ready," Lynch said Monday.

GM Steve Keim stated Thursday that there's "zero chance" the Cardinals trade Murray, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

The rumor mill has swirled around Murray this offseason, with multiple outlets reporting his dissatisfaction with the team and the situation with his contract. Currently, the first overall pick in the 2019 Draft is preparing for his fourth season as a pro, making him eligible for an extension on his rookie deal. Keim spoke on that topic, noting recent top-tier quarterbacks with three years under their belts (like Patrick Mahomes in 2020 and Josh Allen in 2021) were extended "in the middle of the summer or late summer." Murray himself chimed in on his personal Twitter page Thursday, writing "I wanna win Super Bowls with the Cardinals, AZ is home." Assuming he remains in Arizona, Murray will have WR DeAndre Hopkins, RB James Conner, TE Zach Ertz, WR A.J. Green, WR Rondale Moore and whoever may join them via the draft available to him at the skill positions this fall.

Garoppolo (shoulder) hasn't resumed throwing but believes he'll be ready for training camp, Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press reports.

Garoppolo's availability for camp is no sure thing, with some reports suggesting a timeline of 4-to-6 months after he had shoulder surgery March 8. There's also the matter of which team he'll be playing for, as NFL.com's Kevin Patra recently reported that the Niners still are expected to trade Garoppolo this offseason. Garoppolo's recovery from surgery is a complicating factor, and there have also been whispers that the Niners are nervous about No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance. It sounds like Garoppolo has avoided setbacks thus far, as he said Thursday that he expects to resume throwing soon, per SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Fields is learning a new offense that's expected to cater to his strengths, the Bears' official site reports.

After entering his rookie season as a backup, Fields now enters camp working with the starters, though he'll again be learning a new offensive system. With the coaching staff intent on putting Fields' in the best position to succeed, it's likely that his running ability along with his ability to throw deep will be prioritized. Fields' average of 56 rushing yards over the last five games of his rookie season shows he can be a useful fantasy contributor even if the Chicago passing game is a work in a progress under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.