NFL Player News

Hurts was reunited with former Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith after the Eagles selected the wide receiver with the 10th overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft, Tim McManus of ESPN reports.

Although Hurts hasn't officially been named the Eagles' starting quarterback, selecting a receiver rather than another signal-caller seemingly cements him in the role even further. It also gives the 22-year-old another first-round weapon to throw to after Philadelphia took Jalen Reagor out of TCU last year. It's certainly a major upgrade for a receiving corps that compiled the third-fewest receiving yards last season (2,082).

Rodgers might consider retirement as an option to force his way out of Green Bay, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst made it clear Thursday night that he has no intention of trading Rodgers, who reportedly has become disgruntled to the point that he's considered refusing to report to the team this summer. A holdout, however, could lead to fines, so the threat of retirement might provide more leverage. Of course, the Packers know that Rodgers prefers to continue his football career, and they'll still have him under contract if he retires and then un-retires. It's a complicated situation with no resolution in immediate sight.

The Ravens are picking up the fifth-year option on Jackson's rookie contract, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson is now scheduled for a $23.016 million base salary in 2022, though it's guaranteed for injury only. The option gives Baltimore more leverage in negotiations on a long-term contract, which seems to be the ultimate goal for both parties. Offseason additions Rashod Bateman and Sammy Watkins give Jackson the best receiving corps he's ever had, while the Ravens' offensive line looks shaky for the first time in his young career.

Tagovailoa boasts immediate chemistry with former Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle, whom the Dolphins selected sixth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN reports.

As a rookie, Tagovailoa struggled to make the most of a receiving corps compromised of contested-catch specialists who don't provide much separation, and it's clear that Miami's priority this offseason has been to surround him with more explosive playmakers. By making Waddle the second wideout selected in April's draft, the Dolphins are allowing Tagovailoa the benefit of linking up with a playmaker whose skillset he's already familiar with, and who should be able to start out of the slot immediately. It's worth noting that Miami also had the option of reuniting the young quarterback with DeVonta Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner and a potentially more complete receiver at the NFL level. The decision to grab Waddle instead clearly points to a bet on Tagovailoa's ability to maximize the potential of an explosive playmaker capable of bringing separation to the short and intermediate game. Even if Waddle doesn't play outside right off the bat, he should provide Tagovailoa with a perfect complement to new deep threat Will Fuller (suspension).

The Patriots' selection of Mac Jones with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft could present a threat to Stidham's roster spot, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

With 2020 starter Cam Newton having been re-signed this offseason and Jones now on board to be groomed to be the team's long-term answer at QB, Stidham's role with the Patriots is currently unclear. That could change if either Newton or Jones are forced to miss time, but if all three approach the season healthy, then New England's coaching staff will have to make a call on whether to keep three signal-callers. In such a scenario, it's possible that Stidham could be the odd man out.

Dalton may open the year as the Bears No. 1 quarterback before eventually turning the job over to Justin Fields, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports.

Although Dalton was signed in free agency to start under center, once the team spent significant draft capital to move up to the 11th pick, it's likely the Bears will go to Fields as soon as they feel he's ready to lead the offense. Even before the draft, Dalton was unlikely to be valued inside the top-20 quarterbacks in fantasy drafts, and now it appears his value is little more than early-season depth in leagues that start two quarterbacks.

The Panthers have picked up Darnold's fifth-year contract option, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Per the report, the decision to do so guarantees Darnold $18.9 million in 2022, keeping him under team control for the next two seasons. Darnold, who the Panthers obtained from the Jets earlier this month in exchange for second-, fourth- and sixth-round draft picks, thus appears locked in as the team's franchise signal-caller for the foreseeable future. That's a notion solidified by the team having dealt Teddy Bridgewater to Denver on Wednesday and then passing on taking a QB with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday. Currently in the mix to back up Darnold are Will Grier, P.J. Walker and Tommy Stevens, but it's possible the team could bring in additional competition for the assignment.

GM Brian Gutekunst said the Packers won't trade Rodgers and believes the quarterback will play again for the team, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

It was reported prior to the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday that the 37-year-old has told some people he doesn't want to return to the team, though management expressed optimism about mending the relationship while talking to media after making the first-round selection. Gutekunst said he received one call inquiring about the veteran quarterback during the draft, but it wasn't a long conversation. It previously appeared Rodgers was locked in with Green Bay at least until the 2022 offseason, but he may try to hasten his departure depending how the spring/summer unfold.

With the Giants trading out of the 11th pick (Justin Fields), it appears they're entirely committed to Jones for this season at least. Moreover, they added another receiver, Kadarius Toney, with the 20th overall pick.

Jones now has Toney and Kenny Golladay to go along with Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley. The offensive line is still a question mark, but the Giants are doing everything they can to surround Jones with playmakers. By passing on Fields, the last of the top QB prospects, the team seems to be all-in on Jones, despite his uneven performance to date.

The Patriots selected Jones in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 15th overall.

Jones' draft day slide comes to an end as the Alabama product ends up in New England. Rumored to go as high as No.3 overall to the 49ers, Jones wound up being the fifth quarterback selected in the first round. Jones lacks the physical traits of Trey Lance or Justin Fields, but he is a polished and accurate passer who executed at a high level as the leader of the Crimson Tide. He torched the opposition in 2020, throwing for 4,500 yards on 11.2 YPA while tossing 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Having a star-studded supporting cast helped, but Jones showed an ability to operate an offense and read defenses. The Patriots have Cam Newton back on a one-year deal, so this is a move for the future in all likelihood with Jones likely set to take over in 2022 after a year of learning the system.