NFL Player News

Prescott is making progress in contract discussions with the Cowboys, but it isn't clear if he'll participate in the voluntary, virtual offseason program, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The Cowboys franchise-tagged Prescott in mid-March and reportedly resumed long-term contract negotiations with the quarterback in late March. The two sides still have plenty of time to reach an agreement before the July 15 deadline, and there might be a bit less pressure now that spring practices aren't part of the equation. The Cowboys do have a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, but offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is a holdover from 2019 and figures to retain the core elements of his scheme.

General manager Bob Quinn said Stafford (back/hip) would be a full participant if the Lions were able to start their offseason program next week, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Technically, the Lions will start their program April 27, but it will all be virtual work for the foreseeable future. The unusual offseason is arguably less of a problem for the Lions that it will be for many other teams, considering Stafford, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and all the key wide receivers and tight ends are holdovers from the 2019 squad. Stafford missed the final eight games of last season due to multiple small fractures in his back, eventually making a full recovery this winter/spring without undergoing surgery. He also had a lingering hip injury, which wasn't deemed serious enough to require a medical procedure.

Goff will be working without running back Todd Gurley and wide receiver Brandin Cooks in 2020, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

The Rams released Gurley -- who eventually signed with the Falcons -- and traded Cooks to the Texans this offseason. Out of the backfield, Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson (ankle) should serve as Options 1A and 1B in some order. Meanwhile, barring another transaction this offseason, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Josh Reynolds will be the team's wideout trio, while Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett handle tight-end duties. Goff himself has put up at least 4,600 passing yards both of the past two seasons while compiling a 54:28 TD:INT during that stretch. No matter how the skill positions look in the fall, Goff figures to succeed in an offense put together by coach Sean McVay.

The Texans acquired another wide receiver (Brandin Cooks) for Watson on Thursday, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After shipping out DeAndre Hopkins last month, Houston's receiving corps was a bit short-handed, even with the addition of Randall Cobb soon after. Following the trade for Cooks, Watson now has a more well-rounded group, with the oft-injured Will Fuller (sports hernia) and Kenny Stills still on board. Cooks has four 1,000-yard seasons under his belt but also has concerns with concussions, as he suffered the fifth of his career in 2019. Still, the Texans have done OK in their effort to restock the weapons at Watson's disposal.

The trade of DeAndre Hopkins leaves Watson with Will Fuller and Kenny Stills as Houston's top two wide receiver targets, Bill Barnwell of ESPN.com reports.

Hopkins had become a crutch for the offense and rarely missed games. He topped the team in terms of catch and target share (29.3 and 28.8 percent, respectively). Watson and Hopkins were an elite combination, one that will be hard to replace. In steps the oft-injured Fuller and also Stills, both considered deep threats that are not near the franchise wideout that Hopkins had become. The Texans could add a wide receiver in what is considered a strong draft class for the position, but Watson has lost a security blanket and will need to adjust.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Mayfield is the starting quarterback, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

This is not surprising news, but the addition of free agent Case Keenum, who has history with Stefanski, caused minor rumbling following Mayfield's 2019 season in which he threw nearly as many interceptions (21) as touchdowns (22). "I believe in Baker Mayfield, he's our starting quarterback. He's a young player that I think we've all seen glimpses of this kid being a really good player," Stefanski said. The offense in 2019 was dysfunctional under former head coach Freddie Kitchens, but Stefanski has made moves to change the attack in 2020. The addition of a fullback (Andy Janovich) and a second tight end (Austin Hooper) suggests a pivot from the wideout-focused offense of 2019.

Trubisky (shoulder) will take the first snap whenever the Bears are able to practice, but coach Matt Nagy said it will be an open QB competition between the 25-year-old and Nick Foles, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports.

Meanwhile, general manager Ryan Pace declined to comment on the team's impending decision on Trubisky's fifth-year option. The deadline to pick up the option is in early May, and while it likely would cost more than $20 million, the salary would be guaranteed for injury only. Trubisky is recovering from January surgery on a partially torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, while Foles has returned to health after an injury-marred 2019 campaign in Jacksonville. The Bears traded a fourth-round pick for the 31-year-old quarterback, who subsequently agreed to reduced base salaries in exchange for player options to void his contract after either of the next two seasons.

The Buccaneers have signed Gabbert to a one-year deal, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gabbert, who landed on IR last September due to a shoulder injury, is back with the Bucs, presumably healthy and now in line to work behind new QB Tom Brady. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft last saw regular-season action in 2018, appearing in eight games (including three starts) with the Titans.

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.