NFL Player News

Nick Foles' restructured contract suggests Trubisky (shoulder) has a shot to keep the starting job, according to JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago.

The Bears traded the Jaguars a fourth-round pick for Foles, who subsequently agreed to reduce his base salaries in exchange for a player option to void his contract after the 2020 or 2021 seasons. Trubisky is actually scheduled to have a slightly higher cap hit for the upcoming campaign, though Foles has incentives that ultimately could push him over the top if he gets considerable playing time. Bears GM Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy haven't yet commented on their expectations for a QB competition, or lack thereof. Trubisky is still recovering from January surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Coach Frank Reich suggested Tuesday that Brissett could play a handful of snaps per game to take advantage of his mobility, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Brissett isn't exactly fleet of foot, but he does move around much better than breathing statue Philip Rivers, potentially making the 27-year-old useful for certain option concepts. The Colts reportedly intend to keep the former as a backup to the latter, making Brissett the highest-paid No. 2 QB in the league as he enters the second season of a two-year, $30 million contract. It is possible the team alters course before Week 1, considering Brissett's release would free up nearly $9 million in cap space (per overthecap.com), and a trade could clear out even more room. Either way, Rivers is ticketed for the Week 1 start.

Winston's (thumb/knee) former coach in Tampa Bay, Bruce Arians, said Wednesday in an interview on Fox Sports Radio's "The Rich Eisen Show" that he's reached out to two teams on the quarterback's behalf, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I talked to two teams," Arians said. "I think it was just to [tell them], 'Get him on your roster' and it would be a great fit. One team was not interested and the other one was."

Winston's hopes of returning to Tampa Bay for a sixth season ended nearly two weeks ago, when it became apparent that Tom Brady was leaving New England to sign with the Buccaneers. Though he's just 26 years old and has 70 career starts on his resume, Winston's high turnover rate has likely contributed heavily to the cool reception he's faced thus far in free agency. With few -- if any -- starting jobs left open at this stage of the offseason and another experienced, more accomplished option in Cam Newton also looking for work, Winston could be forced to settle for a backup job at his next stop.

The Bengals may decide to keep Dalton, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Team and player both seem to prefer a trade, but it's difficult to find a partner in a market where free-agent quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Cam Newton are struggling to drum up interest. Ultimately, it would make sense for the Bengals to cut Dalton if they do in fact use the No. 1 overall pick on Joe Burrow, as the 32-year-old quarterback doesn't have any guarantees on his $17.7 million compensation for 2020. It would be an unprecedented sum to pay for a backup, though it's possible Dalton would consider a pay cut and then hit the open market next offseason. It seems like all options are still in play here.

Prescott and the Cowboys have resumed contract negotiations, ESPN.com's Ed Werder reports.

The Dallas front office shifted its focus to free agency after using the franchise tag on Prescott in mid-March. The team can now turn its attention back to the young quarterback, who reportedly wants a four-year contract. The Cowboys are hoping for a five-year deal, with July 15 representing the negotiation deadline before Prescott is forced to play under the tag in 2020.

New teammate Marcus Mariota said Tuesday that Carr will remain the Raiders' starting quarterback, Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mariota became the NFL's highest-paid backup quarterback after inking a two-year, $17.6 million contract with $7.5 million guaranteed in free agency, a deal that sparked rumors about a potential job battle. It's worth noting that Carr has a much larger contract, one that would allow the Raiders to clear out as much as $16.1 million in cap space if he's traded or released this offseason, per OverTheCap.com. The 28-year-old may find himself looking over his shoulder if he struggles early in the season, but it doesn't sound like this will be a competition for the Week 1 starting job.

Mariota said Tuesday that he's ready to serve as Derek Carr's backup with the Raiders, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports. "First and foremost, this is Derek's team, and I understand that," Mariota said.

Mariota was awarded a two-year, $17.6 million contract with $7.5 million guaranteed last week, sparking rumors of a job battle between Carr and Mariota. The former Titan was quick to shoot down those rumors, but there's no way to spin it as a positive for Carr when his team brings in the highest-paid backup in the league. Carr may still have security for the Week 1 starting job, but he'll be looking over his shoulder if he struggles early in the season.

Lock appears to have little competition for the starting job after the signing of journeyman Jeff Driskel as the presumptive QB2, Benjamin Allbright of KOA News Radio reports.

Lock was mostly solid, but showed flashes of real promise down the stretch during his 4-1 tenure as the Broncos' starting quarterback. That didn't prevent some from calling for Denver to bring in a veteran to push Lock in 2020. That hasn't happened, however, and while Driskel has the athleticism to complement Lock's style, his 1-7 career record as a starter -- albeit on some bad teams -- is unlikely to trigger a camp battle. It is possible that the Broncos look for a developmental quarterback in the late rounds of the draft, but everything is trending toward a full-season audition for Lock in 2020.

Mariota's deal with the Raiders is two years for $17.6 million, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The report notes that $7.5 million in the first year of the contract is fully guaranteed, with incentives also included in the QB's agreement with the team. For now, Mariota slots in behind incumbent starter Derek Carr, but it's plausible that down the road, Mariota -- the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft -- could make a run at the Raiders' top job, if Carr experiences any on-field struggles or suffers an injury.

The Panthers are trading Allen to Washington, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Panthers reached an agreement with P.J. Walker earlier Monday, adding another body to a crowded QB room. Allen will now be reunited with Washington head coach Ron Rivera, who held the same role in Carolina from 2011 to mid-2019. With Dwayne Haskins unproven and Alex Smith (leg) uncertain to play football again, Allen is pretty much in the best situation he could've hoped for, though it doesn't mean he'll be handed a roster spot. The 24-year-old was one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL last season, accounting for 46 sacks, 16 interceptions and 13 fumbles in 13 games. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Panthers will receive a fifth-round draft pick in the trade.