NFL Player News

Driskel will meet with the Cowboys on Friday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

If the 28-year-old signs with the Cowboys, he would likely slot in as the No. 2 quarterback behind Dak Prescott (ankle). Driskel has played for three different teams in his three-year NFL career since making his debut for the Bengals in 2018, posting a 13:8 TD:INT, 58.6 percent completion rate and 6.1 YPA in 15 games.

Gabbert re-signed Wednesday with the Buccaneers on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Buccaneers continue their efforts to maintain roster continuity by bringing back Gabbert for another season as the No. 2 option behind Tom Brady. The 31-year-old's only action last season came in a Week 16 thrashing of the Lions, when Brady went to the bench for the second half. Unless things take an unexpected turn for the defending Super Bowl champions during the 2021 campaign, Gabbert will once again be in store for limited action.

The Seahawks added wide receiver D'Wayne Eskridge in the draft and tight end Gerald Everett via free agency to help bolster Wilson's pass-catching options, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Wilson has passed the disgruntled quarterback baton to Aaron Rodgers, as coach Pete Carroll confirmed last week that the Seahawks are on good terms with Wilson and won't trade the quarterback. The Seahawks have made solid upgrades on offense this offseason all the same, as they traded for right guard Gabe Jackson to help bolster the offensive line, then signed Everett to a one-year, $6 million deal before selecting Eskridge in the second round of the draft. Even with the plethora of weapons at Wilson's disposal, it remains to be seen how he works with his new offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, who previously worked as the Rams' passing game coordinator.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman says the Ravens have built a more balanced attack around Jackson after adding WRs Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace in the 2021 NFL Draft, Clifton Brown of the team's official website reports.

When an NFL offensive coordinator discusses 'balance', he's usually referring to establishing a run game to complement the pass. In this case, it's the other way around, with Jackson (among others) expressing frustration at the increasingly predictable nature of Baltimore's offense. The drafting of Bateman (first round) and Wallace (fourth) was preceded by the signing of Sammy Watkins, but the Ravens did also take a big hit this offseason when they traded star OT Orlando Brown to the AFC rival Chiefs. Roman expects Jackson and the rest of the passing game to take a "big step" forward this year, noting that he plans to make more schematic changes than he did last offseason.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Garoppolo "definitely is our starter right now" and that "there isn't a competition" between he and No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Shanahan called Garoppolo "a competitive dude" who he expects to benefit from "having someone to fire him up a little bit," while also denying reports that the 49ers are attempting to trade the 29-year-old. The coach also noted that he doesn't "believe Lance would be in a position to compete" when OTAs kick off, implying that the 20-year-old has a long way to go before pushing Garoppolo for the starting gig. Of course, Lance's draft pedigree all but guarantees he'll eventually get to showcase his talents under center, the only question being how long Garoppolo can hold him off. To that end, staying healthy will be just as crucial for Garoppolo as maintaining a quality level of play. The veteran signal-caller missed 10 games due to a high-ankle sprain last season, though Shanahan reiterated that he's since returned to full health.

The Broncos released Driskel on Monday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Driskel threw three touchdowns and two interceptions in three appearances (one start) for the Broncos last season. Per Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com, his release saves the team $2.5 million in cap space. Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater and Brett Rypien remain under contract for Denver.

The Bills exercised the fifth-year option on Allen's rookie contract Monday, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports.

No surprise here, as Allen has gone from raw prospect to star quarterback over the course of three seasons. His completion percentage, passing yardage and touchdown totals have all improved by leaps and bounds with every season, and the 2018 seventh overall pick is coming off a stellar 2020 campaign in which he completed 69.2 percent of his passes for 4,544 yards and a 37:10 TD:INT. Allen's scheduled to play the fourth year of his rookie contract in 2021, with the $23.1 million fifth-year option covering the 2022 season.

The 49ers are expected to retain Garoppolo despite drafting quarterback Trey Lance with the third-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

There were rumblings around the league regarding potential trades and landing spots for Garoppolo ever since San Francisco paid a king's ransom to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 in this year's draft. While that scenario remains a possibility, it seems unlikely after the club selected North Dakota State product, Trey Lance, with its coveted pick. The 20-year-old possesses tremendous upside due to his raw physical skills, but a lack of experience (just 17 starts in college) and the need to improve some weaknesses in his game (notably footwork and ball placement) creates the need for a trusted veteran quarterback in camp. Enter Jimmy G, who has performed more than adequately during his time in San Francisco, but an inability to stay healthy (only 25 starts over three seasons) was a leading cause in the team having to look for another option under center. That said, the 28-year-old should begin the 2021 campaign with a clean bill of health and a realistic shot at being the 49ers' starter Week 1, while Lance studies his new offense under Kyle Shanahan and develops as a passer. This has been a rough offseason for Garoppolo's career, but it wouldn't be a shock to see him return to his 2019 form (3,978 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions) if he can stay healthy and use his new competition as motivation to prove his worth to both the 49ers and the league as a whole.

Coach Vic Fangio said Bridgewater and Drew Lock will split reps "50-50" during the offseason program and training camp, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Fangio's statement comes as no surprise after the Broncos acquired Bridgewater from the Panthers this week and made no additions to the QB room during the draft. Since his devastating knee injury just before the start of the 2016 season, Bridgewater has started 21 of his 29 appearances between the Saints and Panthers on his way to a 68.5 completion percentage, 5,235 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also racked up 315 yards and five scores on the ground during that stretch. The next few months will determine who among Bridgewater and Lock is under center for Denver in Week 1.

Coach Vic Fangio said Lock and recent acquisition Teddy Bridgewater will split reps "50-50" during the offseason program and training camp, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

After making no additions to the quarterback room during the draft, the Broncos have settled on a Lock-Bridgewater battle under center. Lock has had a rocky and banged-up first two years in the NFL, completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 3,953 yards, 23 touchdowns and 18 interceptions through 18 starts. He even tied Carson Wentz for the league lead with 15 picks during the 2020 season. Denver invested the 42nd overall pick in the 2019 draft in Lock, but it may want to see what the less flashy but steadier Bridgewater can do with the offense.