NFL Player News

Rodgers and the Packers are in negotiations for what is expected to be a short-term contract if the star quarterback decides to remain with the team. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Rapoport, if such a deal transpires, it would make the QB the highest-paid player in the NFL. While the report is encouraging from Green Bay's perspective, any potential agreement hinges on Rodgers committing to remain with the franchise that drafted back him in 2004. Until that occurs, it remains possible that the 38-year-old could consider retirement or request a trade, but at this stage Rapoport suggests that things appear to be heading in a good direction with regard to the chances of an agreement occurring between the two sides.

Prescott had an offseason "clean-up" procedure on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

With regard to Prescott's procedure, coach Mike McCarthy noted, "It's not a concern. We have no concern. He is doing well." With that in mind, the franchise QB is expected to be a full participant in Cowboys' offseason workouts. This past season, Prescott -- who turns 29 on July 29 -- suited up for 16 games, with his only absence occurring in Week 8 when a calf injury sidelined him and led to Cooper Rush drawing a spot start for Dallas.

In a statement Monday, Murray's agent, Erik Burkhardt, relayed that the QB wishes to remain with the Cardinals long term, ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reports.

The statement also notes that Murray -- who is slated to earn about $5.4 million in 2022 -- has sent a detailed contract proposal to the franchise that Burkhardt suggests is "in line with the current quarterback market" but lowers the 2022-23 salary-cap hit of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. For his part, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill indicated that he spoke with Murray on Thursday night, noting "we've had good conversations nonstop." While Bidwill has stated that Murray is part of the team's "long-term plan," he also hinted that addressing the signal-caller's contract situation is something that may not arrive until further down the road, indicating as NFL free agency approaches that "the structure of it, the timing of it -- it's a complicated process and it takes some time."

Winston (knee) has progressed to running on an anti-gravity treadmill, per the Instagram account of physical therapist Kevin Wilk.

Winston was shown going through agility ladders last week, and Monday marks his first day of running in any capacity since tearing his ACL last November. While it's still hard to guess when he could be cleared for on-field football activities, it doesn't seem like Winston's recovery could be going any better. That's great news for the impending free agent who is expected to open contract negotiations with New Orleans in the near future, according to Jim Trotter of NFL.com.

Mayfield (shoulder) is ahead of schedule in his rehab from shoulder surgery he underwent in January, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

At the time of Mayfield's surgery on his left non-throwing shoulder, the Browns estimated the quarterback would begin light throwing in April and have a full recovery in time for training camp. Cabot reports that doctors are encouraged by Mayfield's progress, noting the work he put in during the regular season to strengthen the damaged shoulder is having a positive impact on his recovery. At this point, Mayfield is expected to be the starting quarterback this upcoming season, working on the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, but there has been speculation about the Browns exploring other options as a fallback plan.

New Dolphins quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Darrell Bevell said Wednesday "the [offensive] system is going to be built and tailored to [Tagovailoa]," Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Bevell said Miami's scheme will be designed to "bring out all the positives in [Tagovailoa's] game," which reinforces comments from new coach Mike McDaniel about the team's commitment to the third-year quarterback. Tagovailoa's accuracy and ability to make off-schedule plays were praised by Bevell, though he also mentioned a need to clean up certain mechanics. The Dolphins seem likely to prioritize upgrading the O-line this offseason, and McDaniel's new system also should upgrade the running game and take further pressure off the young quarterback. Such developments could set the stage well for Tagovailoa to take a step forward Year 3, in what looks to be a make-or-break season for his prospects as a franchise leader.

New Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that he anticipates that Cousins will be a part of the team's plans in 2022, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cousins is entering the final year of his contract with the Vikings and has been linked to trade rumors early in the offseason, in part because of the $45 million cap hit that the deal carries in 2022. However, he's been a consistent player under center across his first four seasons in Minnesota, as he's passed for at least 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three of those years while throwing no more than 13 interceptions in any season. O'Connell previously worked with Cousins when he was the quarterbacks coach in Washington during the 2017 campaign, and the offensive-minded coach plans to call plays for the first time to begin his tenure with the Vikings.

Jackson's ankle has healed and he's resumed working out with teammates, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

A bone bruise in his right ankle kept Jackson sidelined for the final four games of the 2021 campaign, but he should be in store for a normal, healthy offseason before the Ravens resume practicing in May and June. The bigger concern is a potential contract extension, with Jackson scheduled to make $23.1 million in 2022 under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. A new deal won't be cheap from a real-money standpoint, but it may allow the Ravens to reduce Jackson's cap hit for the upcoming season, which in turn would help the team bring in reinforcements for its offensive line and defense.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that Burrow (knee) has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

According to Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site, Burrow is also nursing a pinkie injury, but he shouldn't require offseason surgery to address either issue. Additionally, Taylor categorized Burrow's MCL sprain as an aggravation of the injury he dealt with in December. The Bengals are hopeful that after a couple months of rest, Burrow will be ready to resume workouts as a full participant at some point during OTAs.

Burrow isn't expected to need surgery on the knee injury he suffered in the final minutes of the Super Bowl, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

While the injury likely impacted his mobility late in the fourth quarter, Burrow never missed a snap. Still, it's apparently serious enough to require some type of rehab process, which Burrow should have time to complete before spring practices in May and June. Rapoport says the injury "shouldn't drastically alter [Burrow's] offseason."