NFL Player News

The Bears signed Peterman to a one-year contract Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Peterman spent the last two seasons in Las Vegas, appearing in two games and totaling 15 offensive snaps. The 2017 fifth-round pick will compete with Trevor Siemian for the backup spot behind Justin Fields.

Buccaneers quarterback coach Clyde Christensen said Tuesday that he doesn't expect Trask to compete with Blaine Gabbert for the No. 2 spot this season, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

With the return of Tom Brady, neither quarterback is expected to see the field, but it sounds like the veteran Gabbert has the primary backup spot locked down heading into training camp. There was speculation that Trask could compete with Gabbert after being selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but the second-year quarterback is apparently headed for another developmental year.

Coach Dennis Allen said Friday "the plan" is for Winston (knee) to start Week 1, Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune reports.

Allen noted that there are still "a lot of days between now and Week 1," but that "we certainly like where [Winston] is right now" as the quarterback works his way back from a left ACL tear. Winston has already begun rehabbing from surgery undergone last November, and while his real recovery progress may not be made apparent until he begins taking reps in offseason workouts, it currently looks like the 28-year-old is on track to open the season. New Orleans' offense could take a step forward in the 2022 campaign, with two first-round rookies joining the fold. Left tackle Trevor Penning will help keep Winston upright following the departure of Terron Armstead (knee), while former Ohio State standout Chris Olave provides another legitimate option in the passing game alongside presumed top target Michael Thomas (ankle).

Following the Patriots' selection of Bailey Zappe in the fourth round of the recent NFL Draft, Stidham has added competition for a roster spot, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

With veteran Brian Hoyer also in the backup mix behind starter Mac Jones, it looks like Stidham could be the odd man out in the Patriots' signal-caller equation, with Zappe's spot with the team presumably secure. Stidham, a 2019 fourth-rounder out of Auburn, is approaching the final year of his rookie contract.

Murray will be without DeAndre Hopkins to start the 2022 season after the NFL handed the wide receiver a six-game suspension Monday for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, The Athletic reports.

Murray's offseason thus far hasn't been lacking in drama, as the quarterback notably expressed dissatisfaction with both the Cardinals and his contract. The team picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal April 27 and then appeased him by acquiring wide receiver and college teammate Marquise Brown from the Ravens last Thursday. Brown was set to join Hopkins atop the depth chart at receiver, but the former now should serve as Murray's No. 1 option for the first six contests of the upcoming campaign. Aside from Brown, Murray will have wideouts A.J. Green, Rondale Moore and Antoine Wesley, tight ends Zach Ertz and Trey McBride and running James Conner to work with as pass-catching options once Week 1 arrives. Whether Murray can fare better sans Hopkins this year versus 2021 is uncertain, but as Field Yates of ESPN notes, the signal-caller's completion percentage dropped seven points (72 to 65), while his yards per attempt went down 2.2 YPA (8.8 to 6.6) when Hopkins wasn't on the field last season.

Hurts (ankle) said Wednesday that he's healthy following offseason surgery, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

As expected, Hurts is ready to go for the start of OTAs after electing to undergo surgery on the left ankle injury he battled late in the 2021 campaign. A healthy Hurts paired with newly acquired No. 1 wideout A.J. Brown should brighten the quarterback's fantasy prospects heading into 2022.

Mariota is expected to be the Falcons' starting quarterback to start the 2022 regular season, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Mariota signed a two-year contract with the Falcons at the end of March and was the de facto starter with Matt Ryan off to Indianaplis for a third-round pick. However, Desmond Ridder fell to Atlanta in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, sparking speculation that perhaps the rookie could compete for the No. 1 spot, but after the draft coach Arthur Smith said, "With Marcus being the veteran, that's the way it'll go for now." Even with the loss of Calvin Ridley (suspension), Mariota likely will have strong expectations in his first season with Atlanta after they drafted pass catchers with top-10 overall picks in back-to-back years, but the Falcons offense now features a trio of dynamic playmakers in Drake London (ankle), Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Goff is facing a make-or-break season after Detroit spent its offseason improving his supporting cast without acquiring a potential successor at quarterback, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Lions' front office not only steered clear of the quarterback market in free agency, they did not spend a draft pick on a developmental prospect, either. Instead, they bolstered Goff's receiving options with DJ Chark, first-round rookie Jameson Williams (knee) and tight end James Mitchell (knee). Now, Goff has a fantastic receiving corps to complement a highly-pedigreed offensive line and a capable backfield. If Goff can't succeed within this talented offensive roster, it seems highly likely that Detroit will look for someone who can next offseason, when Goff could be cut with relatively minimal salary cap implications.

Burrow (knee) reported for the start of Cincinnati's offseason workouts Monday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Burrow is recovering from a left MCL sprain, but he avoided surgery for the injury, and the Bengals haven't expressed any significant public concern about the star quarterback's health. It remains to be seen, however, whether Burrow's rehab has progressed enough for him to begin offseason activities without any limitations. In any case, Burrow now will benefit from another offseason to build chemistry with top wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the latter of whom is recovering from left labrum surgery.

Darnold remains the Panthers' starting quarterback for now, but rookie third-rounder Matt Corral could get an opportunity to play early in his career if Darnold struggles this season, ESPN's David Newton reports.

Darnold has not performed up to expectations since entering the league as the second pick four years ago. Even with his change of scenery joining the Panthers last season, Darnold completed under 60 percent of his passes for just nine touchdowns versus 13 interceptions in 12 games. He also lost a pair of fumbles. Although Carolina opting not to trade for Baker Mayfield signals some patience with their quarterback situation, Darnold now has Corral to watch in his rear-view mirror as he approaches the upcoming campaign.