NFL Player News

Hurts is the Eagles' top QB after they traded Carson Wentz to Indianapolis, though the team could still draft another signal-caller, according to Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Already owners of the sixth overall pick, the Eagles added a 2021 third-rounder and a conditional 2022 second-round pick in the Wentz trade. What they do next depends on their confidence in Hurts, who had eight total touchdowns -- but also three INTs and six fumbles -- over the final four weeks of 2020. The 22-year-old is a clear favorite for the Week 1 start at this point, but the Eagles still have time to add competition, or at least a high-end backup.

Barkley took 53 snaps in 2020, completing 11 of 21 passes for 197 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The 2020 campaign was the ultimate Josh Allen Show, so even the most faithful Bills fan would have a hard time remembering when Barkley's 21 passes happened, but they did take place over the course of three mop-up duty appearances. Barkley won't wow anyone on the field after being in the league since 2013, but he's served as a good voice for Allen and knows the Buffalo offense as well as anyone, so it'd be a bit of a surprise if the cash-strapped Bills turn to a higher profile backup for 2021. The same quarterback room of Allen, Barkley and Jake Fromm seems the most likely course of action.

General manager Eric DeCosta expects McSorley (knee) and Tyler Huntley to compete for the backup quarterback job this offseason, Clifton Brown of the Ravens' official site reports.

"We think both [McSorley and Huntley] have a legitimate chance to compete for that backup position," DeCosta said. "It doesn't mean that we won't go after a veteran quarterback, but we think both those guys have pretty bright futures, and we see a good competition this year." McSorley saw action in two games for the Ravens in 2020, providing a spark in each. He suffered a minor knee strain back in December, but he's expected to be ready for the tentative start of offseason activities later this year.

Allen (ankle) should be healthy by April, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Allen dislocated and fractured his ankle in Week 9, requiring season-ending surgery. He made four starts (but played only two full games) prior to the injury, completing 69.0 percent of his passes for 7.0 YPA, with four TDs, one interception and one lost fumble. Allen isn't scheduled for free agency until 2022, but his future in Washington appears uncertain, as the team recently signed backup Taylor Heinicke (shoulder) to a two-year extension and now figures to pursue upgrades for the starting spot. It isn't clear how Allen and Alex Smith (calf) fit into Washington's picture for 2021, but both should at least be healthy if they're still around come training camp.

Stafford's injuries in 2020 included a partially torn UCL in his right thumb, a torn UCL in his left elbow, torn rib cartilage, an ankle sprain and a left knee injury, Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Stafford was removed after one series in the Lions' Week 16 loss to Tampa Bay, but he otherwise played at least 80 percent of offensive snaps in each of Detroit's games in 2020, continuing to gut it out long after the team was eliminated from the playoffs. The Lions have since agreed to trade Stafford to Los Angeles, where he'll team up with coach Sean McVay to lead an offense that has Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Tyler Higbee and Cam Akers as its top returning playmakers. It isn't necessarily a better group of pass catchers than what Stafford is accustomed to working with, but the coaching and overall quality of the roster will be an upgrade compared to Detroit. Despite the long list of injuries, there hasn't been any report of Stafford needing offseason surgery.

Mahomes underwent successful surgery Wednesday to repair a torn plantar plate in his left foot, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mahomes battled a severe case of turf toe over the Chiefs' final two playoff games after initially picked up in the injury in the divisional-round win over the Browns. Though he played every snap in the AFC Championship Game win over the Bills and the Super Bowl LV loss to the Buccaneers, the injury clearly limited his mobility. According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, the All-Pro quarterback is expected to be 100 percent by training camp after he experienced no complications with the procedure, which was performed in Green Bay by renowned foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson.

Boyle appeared in eight games in 2020 but didn't attempt a pass. He officially recorded 13 carries for minus-nine yards.

Boyle spent the entire season as the backup behind Aaron Rodgers, but he was primarily a "human victory cigar," either handing the ball off or taking a knee on all but one of the plays he took the field. He spent the last two seasons in Green Bay, and he could hang onto a roster spot while 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love continues his development. However, the Packers will no doubt be hoping Love secures the backup role in his second season, and it remains to be seen if the team will carry more than two signal-callers into the 2021 campaign.

Heinicke (shoulder) agreed Wednesday with Washington on a two-year, $8.75 million extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Heinicke signed with the team in December and ended up starting in the wild-card round of the playoffs in place of an injured Alex Smith (calf). His solid performance (352 total yards, two touchdowns) in that loss to Tampa Bay seemingly convinced the Washington brass that Heinicke can be a solid backup for the next couple years. He'll turn 28 in April, and it's unlikely his extension prevents the team from seeking upgrades at the top spot on the depth chart. Heinicke suffered an AC joint sprain during the team's playoff game, but he should be ready for the offseason program -- if there is one -- and training camp.

Gabbert completed nine of 16 passes for 143 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions across four games during the 2020 regular season. He also rushed nine times for 16 yards and committed a fumble that was recovered by the offense.

All of Gabbert's passing production came in a Week 16 evisceration of the Lions, when Tom Brady took an early seat and the veteran backup took over in the second half. Gabbert only attempted one other pass all season, an incompletion in Week 6 against the Packers. The 31-year-old played 2020 on a one-year deal, but given his familiarity with coach Bruce Arians' system and the reasonable salary he'd command, it's likely Gabbert returns to the Buccaneers' fold in 2021.

The Giants appear committed to Jones as their starting quarterback for 2021, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

A few NFL teams appear ready to give up on first-round QBs they drafted in recent years, but the Giants are expected to stick with Jones, hoping he'll play better if he has more help around him. To that end, the team could stand to add a solid blocker and another reliable pass catcher, in addition to the potential benefit from getting Saquon Barkley (knee) back on the field. While Jones figures to be the Week 1 starter, it is possible he'll be on a shorter leash in 2021, especially if the Giants find a better backup than Colt McCoy.