NFL Player News

Coach Kyle Shanahan reiterated Tuesday that the 49ers don't have a quarterback competition, with Jimmy Garoppolo being the starter and Lance the backup, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Other coaches have said the same thing before quickly changing their minds once the veteran QB faltered. However, there is a little more reason to believe it in this case, with Lance being a 21-year-old rookie who got just one season of experience as a starter at FCS North Dakota State. Of course, none of this stopped the 49ers from trading up to the No. 3 overall pick to acquire him -- a move that confirmed Garoppolo was on borrowed time. As for the immediate future, Lance still hasn't signed a rookie contract and may thus be absent from practice when the 49ers take the field Wednesday morning. Nate Sudfeld and Josh Rosen are the options for second-team QB reps if Lance is unavailable.

Coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that both Woodside and DeShone Kizer will see playing time during the preseason, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Woodside served as the primary backup to Ryan Tannehill in 2020, but new teammate Kizer reportedly impressed during minicamp and could offer strong competition for the No. 2 gig. Through six appearances last season, Woodside only had three pass attempts, with one seven-yard completion. However, he did have seven carries for 10 yards.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that the 49ers don't have an open competition at quarterback, adding that Garoppolo will work with the starters during training camp, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Shanahan made similar comments in early May, shortly after the 49ers picked QB Trey Lance third overall in the NFL Draft. In any case, the 21-year-old rookie may not be available Wednesday when the team holds its first practice of camp, as he still hasn't signed a rookie contract. Garoppolo may not have job security beyond September, but he is on track for the Week 1 start, leading an offense with TE George Kittle and WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

Coach Matt Nagy said Tuesday that Fields will "get a healthy amount of reps" this preseason, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports.

Nagy labeled Fields as the Bears' No. 2 quarterback back in June, indicating that veteran Andy Dalton is most likely to begin the 2021 season under center. That said, Nagy's declaration that he will take a "more aggressive approach to playing time in preseason games" hints that Fields will get numerous opportunities to showcase his talents leading up to Week 1. It seems as though Fields doesn't have a clear path to immediately starting, but if he flashes in practices and preseason action he could earn a shot at some point in his rookie season, especially if Chicago's offense underwhelms with Dalton at the helm.

Packers president Mark Murphy told a fan that Rodgers is present for the first day of training camp, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Murphy didn't respond when a reporter asked if he could be quoted, but it does seem he was being honest, considering Mike Renner of PFF and freelance writer Greg Bates got pictures/video of Rodgers entering the team facility. Recent rumors suggested the quarterback might retire if the Packers didn't trade him, while the more recent update from Monday points toward a resolution that will keep him in Green Bay for one more season before allowing for his departure next spring. His presence for the beginning of camp doesn't necessarily mean he'll practice right away, but it should at least protect him from the $50,000-per-day fines that could come with a holdout. Rodgers and the Packers appear ready to make things work, if only for one last season.

Rodgers and the Packers are close to an agreement that would keep the quarterback in Green Bay for 2021 but then set up his departure from the team next offseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter notes that the deal is "not done, but it is close." Earlier Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported something along the same lines, saying Rodgers had "indicated to people close to him" that he planned to play for the Packers this season. The quarterback hasn't made any public comments in recent days, and team executives Brian Gutekunst and Mark Murphy didn't drop any big hints when they spoke at the annual shareholder's meeting Monday. If Schefter's latest report proves accurate -- as his usually do -- Rodgers presumably would want contractual assurance that he'd become a free agent next offseason (he's signed through 2023).

Team president Mark Murphy reiterated Monday that the Packers will not trade Rodgers and can't envision a scenario where they would, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Rodgers told "people close to him" he now plans to play for the Packers this season, though Murphy acknowledged Monday that he doesn't know if the star quarterback will report for training camp. The Packers' first practice is scheduled for Wednesday, and they technically can fine Rodgers $50,000 for each day he misses. Of course, the team probably will let the fines slide if the ultimate goal is to convince Rodgers to line up under center Week 1 at New Orleans. Murphy and GM Brian Gutekunst have made it clear that's their priority, but it's harder to say exactly where Rodgers stands, with rumors hinting at everything from trade demands to considering retirement.

Rodgers has "indicated to people close to him" that he plans to play for the Packers this season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The report is worded cautiously, leaving the door open for other outcomes. It does make sense that Rodgers would relent, considering retirement seems to be his other option if the Packers won't trade him. GM Brian Gutekunst said Monday that he's optimistic about working things out, though he didn't get into detail about what that means or when Rodgers might join the team. The Packers report Tuesday for training camp and are scheduled to practice for the first time Wednesday.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said the team has been "working tirelessly" to resolve issues with Rodgers, adding that the Packers "remain hopeful for a positive resolution," Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Speaking at the annual shareholder's meeting Monday morning, Gutekunst relayed optimism without getting into details, failing to mention whether or not Rodgers is expected to report Tuesday for the start of training camp, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Team president Mark Murphy says the Packers are "committed to [Rodgers] for 2021 and beyond," though it's clear at this point the feeling isn't mutual. While the Packers can fine Rodgers for each missed day of training camp, they might choose to overlook it if they believe they can convince him to play in Green Bay for another year (or longer). If he refuses to play for the Packers and isn't traded, Rodgers could retire from the NFL to avoid additional fines.

Bengals president Mike Brown doesn't expect Burrow to play in any preseason games, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Burrow made a smooth recovery from Dec. 2 knee surgery and now has been cleared for 11-on-11 drills at the start of training camp. Even so, the Bengals are leaning toward holding him out of games until Week 1, relying on practice to ramp up his workload and evaluate his health and performance. While all reports on Burrow's rehab progress have been encouraging, we'll still need to monitor his practice participation in the coming weeks, considering he'll be just a little more than nine months removed from ACL repair surgery when the Bengals open their season Sept. 12 against Minnesota.