NFL Player News

Mahomes (toe) should need about three months to recover from Feb. 10 surgery to repair a torn plantar plate in his left foot, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Mahomes should be healthy before training camp, and Chiefs GM Brett Veach even suggested the QB could be ready for mandatory minicamp, which usually takes place the first or second week of June. It isn't even clear that Mahomes will miss any time on the practice field this spring/summer, as NFL teams likely will need to adjust their offseason programs on account of the coronavirus pandemic. In any case, Mahomes doesn't really need the practice reps, especially when he has continuity with his head coach, offensive coordinator and top pass catchers. Kansas City's offensive line has received a lot of criticism since the Super Bowl, but it's generally been a solid unit in recent years, and both starting tackles -- RT Mitchell Schwartz (back) and LT Eric Fisher (Achilles) -- are recovering from surgery after missing the big game.

Watson is willing to sit out the preseason and even miss regular-season games if the Texans don't agree to trade him, independent NFL journalist Dov Kleiman reports.

Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reported Thursday that Watson has already informed new Texans coach David Culley that he has no intention of playing for the team again, so announcing a willingness to skip games is simply the star signal-caller doubling down on his position. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports Houston still isn't taking trade inquiries for Watson, making it notable the team could fine the 25-year-old over $3 million if he skips events such the offseason minicamp, plus preseason and regular-season games. Of course, if Watson is indeed as firmly entrenched in his desire to be traded as it seems, the Texans could ultimately be forced to relent and recoup losses rather than play hardball. Watson's no-trade clause could complicate eventual negotiations, as any final deal would require his approval; however, Houston should still be positioned receive multiple first-round picks in return for the three-time Pro Bowler.

Watson met with David Culley last Friday and told the Texans' new coach he has no intention of playing for the team, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.

Watson reiterated his trade request, shutting the door on any notion that a new coach might convince him to stick around. No matter, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports the Texans are still avoiding trade conversations and insisting they won't deal their disgruntled QB. In the unlikely event of neither side budging, the Texans will be able to fine Watson for every practice and game he misses, as the young QB is under contract through 2025 after signing a four-year extension in September. The deal includes a no-trade clause, which means Watson will have some say in the process if the Texans eventually relent and consider trade offers.

Wilson told the Seahawks he wants to stay in Seattle, but he also said he'd be willing to play for the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders or Bears if a trade were considered, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Wilson has surpassed Deshaun Watson and Carson Wentz as king of the February rumor mill, with multiple reports suggesting the 32-year-old QB is contemplating an NFL future after Seattle. According to The Athletic, Wilson is frustrated with coach Pete Carroll's emphasis on the running game and wishes the Seahawks had made their pass-blocking more of a priority. He may not be ready to request a trade, but there's no doubt he's making a statement in going public (albeit indirectly) with his willingness to waive his no-trade clause for specific teams. While the Seahawks presumably will try first and foremost to repair the relationship, it does seem the once-unthinkable -- a Russell Wilson trade -- is now on the table as an option. Granted, the rift could be forgotten in a matter of months if Wilson and Co. take flight under new OC Shane Waldron.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Wednesday in his appearance on "The Eye Test for Two" podcast that he has no doubt Garoppolo (ankle) will be the team's Week 1 starter in 2021.

Lynch did stipulate "if he's injury-free" when he was asked about his commitment to Garoppolo, who missed 13 games in 2018 and 10 in 2020. There's been talk of the team pursuing Deshaun Watson, but it isn't clear the Texans will comply with their star quarterback's trade request, and even if they do, San Francisco can't match the draft-pick capital the Dolphins and Jets have to offer. Garoppolo has two years remaining on his five-year, $137.5 million contract, with a dead-cap charge of only $2.8 million if he's traded or released this offseason. Lynch may expect Garoppolo to keep the starting job, but that doesn't mean the 49ers GM won't consider other options. Garoppolo should have plenty of time this winter and spring to recover from the high-ankle sprain that caused him to miss the second half of the 2020 campaign.

Rudolph is expected to serve as the Steelers' backup quarterback in 2021 following news that Ben Roethlisberger is expected to return, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.

Roethlisberger's 2020 season was underwhelming by most metrics, but the Steelers nevertheless want their franchise quarterback for another season. In turn, Rudolph will spend the final year of his rookie contract as the backup to Roethlisberger. The 2018 third-round pick started in Week 17 against the Browns and completed 56 percent of his passes for 315 yards (8.1 YPA), two touchdowns and an interception.

The Jets intend to fully evaluate the 2021 NFL Draft's quarterback prospects before making a decision about Darnold's future with the team, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rapoport notes that the Jets have gotten "real interest" about dealing Darnold, who the team selected No. 3 overall back in the 2018 NFL Draft, but that any deal will have to wait until after top prospects have completed their Pro Days and subsequent interviews. Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York recently estimated that Darnold could return value around the range of a "second-round pick, plus maybe another mid-to-late rounder" should the Jets indeed decide to deal him, with potential suitors including the Bears, Panthers, Broncos, 49ers, Patriots and Washington. Darnold, who will turn 24 this offseason, is coming off a pedestrian third year, with just 2,208 passing yards and nine touchdowns versus 11 interceptions across 12 appearances. He noticeably was more productive in 2019 over a similar span of games, with 3,024 passing yards and a 19:13 TD:INT in 13 contests.

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.