NFL Player News

The Jaguars' signing Wednesday of quarterback C.J. Beathard could set the stage for Minshew to be traded, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Moving on from Minshew would represent a downgrade for the backup quarterback spot, but potentially worthwhile for Jacksonville if it could get draft picks or a useful veteran player in exchange for the 24-year-old. With the team widely expected to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft, it's hard to imagine Minshew having any objection to a trade.

Beathard agreed Wednesday with the Jaguars on a two-year, $5 million contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Jacksonville now has Beathard, Gardner Minshew and Jake Luton on its roster, with another quarterback in Trevor Lawrence likely on tap in the 2021 NFL Draft. A Minshew trade could happen first, though the Jags aren't facing any real pressure from a cap/salary perspective. Beathard went 2-10 as a starter over his four years with the 49ers, completing 58.6 percent of his passes for yards per attempt, 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Goff and the Lions reached agreement Wednesday on a restructured contract, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The Lions will convert $20 million of his base salary into a signing bonus, freeing up $15 million in 2021 cap space while adding $5 million to Goff's cap charge in each of the following three seasons. He still doesn't have long-term job security, and his 2022 compensation includes a non-guaranteed $10.65 million base salary and $15.5 million roster bonus, potentially setting up a tough decision for the Lions next offseason. As for the immediate future, Goff is badly in need of some pass-catching talent, with Detroit thus far having swapped out Kenny Golladay (Giants) and Marvin Jones (Jaguars) for Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman. The Lions hold the seventh and 41st picks in the upcoming NFL draft, plus they hold extra first-round selections in 2022 and 2023 as a result of the Goff trade.

Mariota is expected to sign a re-worked contract with the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per the report, Mariota is in line to ink a one-year deal with the team worth $3.5 million, with a chance to make up to $8 million, including incentives. There had been speculation that the QB might be on the move, but this agreement will allow Mariota to reprise his role with Las Vegas, behind starter Derek Carr.

The league is investigating allegations made this past week against Watson under the NFL's personal-conduct policy, NFL.com reports.

In a statement released Thursday, the Texans noted that they will cooperate with the league's investigation. "The NFL informed us today that they will conduct an investigation into the allegations made in the civil lawsuits filed against Deshaun Watson," the team stated. "We will stay in close contact with the league as they do. We continue to take this and all matters involving anyone within the Houston Texans organization seriously. We do not anticipate making any additional statements until the NFL's investigation concludes." Per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com, seven lawsuits have been filed against Watson, alleging inappropriate conduct and sexual assault.

Allen (ankle) signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with Washington on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The club extended the tender to Allen on Mar. 10, and the signal-caller's 2021 commitment to Washington becomes official with Thursday's transaction. Newly-signed free agent addition Ryan Fitzpatrick is expected to head up Washington's quarterback room this fall, while Allen ranks third in the pecking order directly behind Taylor Heinicke (shoulder). As the team's starter Weeks 5 through 9 of last season, Allen posted a 1-3 record while throwing four touchdowns and committing a pair of giveaways.

Trubisky will sign a one-year deal with the Bills, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

In terms of fantasy value, this is a terrible landing spot for managers of Trubisky in dynasty formats, as he's being signed to serve strictly as a backup to Josh Allen, with no chance at a starting job. However, in football terms it's a sound signing, as Trubisky has a similar style of play to Allen and gives a Super Bowl contender viable insurance in case the franchise signal caller suffers an injury. Trubisky is still just 26 years old and has a first-round pedigree, so as far as career development goes, being in the QB room of a high-powered offense with a good coaching staff may aid him toward bigger and better things down the road.

The Raiders told Mariota he will be released (or traded) if he doesn't accept a pay cut to $3 million for 2021, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Mariota is scheduled for a non-guaranteed $10.725 million in the second season of his two-year contract. The Raiders aren't likely to find a trade partner, but Mariota should be able to generate interest as a free agent, and he could ultimately get more than $3 million. Any hope for a trade would depend on a contract renegotiation that put Mariota's salary somewhere between the two aforementioned numbers.

The Lions signed Boyle to a one-year, $2.5 million contract Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The 26-year-old wasn't tendered a contract by the Packers as a restricted free agent, but he'll remain in the NFC North for 2021. Boyle has attempted only four passes since going undrafted out of Eastern Kentucky in 2018. He could serve as Jared Goff's top backup in the likely event that Detroit releases Chase Daniel later in the offseason.

Mullens (elbow) became an unrestricted free agent Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 49ers elected not to tender Mullens a contract, so he's free to sign with any team. Mullens played 10 games (eight starts) for the 49ers last season, completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,437 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He's still in recovery mode from the elbow surgery that ended his season, so he could remain on the open market for the next few months until teams are fully convinced that he's healthy again.