NFL Player News

Barkley signed with the Bengals on Saturday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barkley was with the Cardinals for the final seven weeks of last season, but he hasn't played in a game since 2016, when he was picked off 14 times in seven appearances for the Bears. He joins Jeff Driskell (arm) on the Cincinnati depth chart behind Andy Dalton, with the Bengals likely planning to add a draft pick or another veteran before training camp. Barkley likely will need to compete for a roster spot.

Bradford made his two-year contract with the Cardinals official Friday, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

The physical was looming as a potential holdup, though the Cardinals obviously know that Bradford's balky left knee is part of what they're signing up for. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer referred to the knee as "degenerative" a couple weeks ago, though he also mentioned that Bradford has been able to ski during the offseason. Never known for his durability, the 30-year-old quarterback may find it especially difficult to stay healthy while playing behind a porous Arizona offensive line. He'll at least get to play with David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, though the complementary weapons are lacking through the first few days of free agency. Bradford won't have much appeal outside of two-QB leagues unless the Cardinals secure major upgrades around him in the coming weeks. Fellow free-agent addition Mike Glennon doesn't figure to have any real shot at unseating Bradford for the starting job.

Broncos coach Vance Joseph said Friday that Lynch is the team's No. 2 quarterback, Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post reports.

Joseph merely is stating the obvious, after the Broncos signed Case Keenum to be their starter and traded Trevor Siemian (shoulder) to the Vikings. Given how bad he's looked in limited action since being selected 26th overall in the 2016 draft, Lynch ultimately may face competition for the backup job from 2017 seventh-round pick Chad Kelly (wrist) and/or a rookie from the upcoming draft. The Broncos don't seem especially likely to add another veteran signal-caller, as they still need to address weaknesses at right tackle, tight end and the No. 3 receiver spot.

Referencing Taylor, who the Browns recently acquired in a trade with the Bills, coach Hue Jackson confirmed that the 28-year-old is "going to be the starting quarterback (in 2018). There is no competition," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

For now, Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan remain on the Browns' roster, but it seems likely that the team will add another QB in April's draft, possibly with one of its two first-round picks. Taylor doesn't buy into the notion that he's simply a bridge QB, destined to to helm the offense while the Browns groom their next franchise QB, but that will be the perception if the team does indeed select a high-profile young signal-caller next month. For the foreseeable future, however, Taylor is in line to work with an intriguing collection of pass-catchers, featuring wideouts Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry and Corey Coleman, as well as promising tight end David Njoku and change-of-pace back Duke Johnson. Assuming Taylor clicks with his new teammates, he brings some fantasy upside to the table in 2018, considering the points that he can rack up with his wheels, as well as his tendency to log a low turnover rate.

The Vikings officially signed Cousins to a three-year contract Thursday.

With a fully guaranteed deal worth $84 million, Cousins has inked the largest one on a per-year basis in NFL history, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. There's a chance he won't hold the crown long due to the likelihood the division-rival Packers sign Aaron Rodgers to a significant extension this offseason. Nevertheless, Cousins' arrival rounds out a stacked roster on both sides of the ball. Upon stepping on the field in the fall, he'll have at his disposal a 1,000-yard wide receiver (Adam Thielen), another explosive option (Stefon Diggs) and a reliable tight end (Kyle Rudolph). Plus, running back Dalvin Cook, a 2017 second-round pick, will be looking to bounce back from a torn ACL. Cousins could soon be working with the best supporting cast of his career.

The Broncos dealt Siemian (shoulder) and a 2018 seventh-round draft pick to the Vikings on Wednesday in exchange for a 2019 fifth-round draft pick, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

After starting 24 games in Denver over the past two seasons, Siemian will become the clear backup in Minnesota with the team set to finalize a three-year contract with Kirk Cousins, the top quarterback on the free-agent market. Siemian had surgery in January to repair the posterior capsule in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, but should be back to full strength ahead of the 2018 campaign. The 26-year-old had an uneven track record as a starter in Denver, but should make for quality insurance policy behind Cousins.

The Bills signed AJ McCarron on Wednesday, which immediately pushes Peterman down the depth chart.

There's very little chance the Bills ponied up for McCarron -- one of the last starting caliber quarterbacks available as all the dominoes fell this week -- to have him compete with Peterman for the job, so last year's fifth-rounder from Pittsburgh is for now relegated to the No. 2 spot. He could be fighting for that assignment soon too, with the Bills likely to take another quarterback early in next month's draft.

Trubisky gained three established receiving options on the first day of free agency, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Following a rookie season where he had one of the worst receiving groups in the NFL, Trubisky now boasts a versatile group of receivers that includes Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Trey Burton to go along with holdovers Cam Meredith, Tarik Cohen and Adam Shaheen. Trubisky could quickly become a big fantasy factor as each of his weapons poses different threats to opposing defenses. Assuming he bounces back well from an ACL tear, Robinson is a potential game-changer capable of making defenses pay for not doubling him. Meanwhile, Gabriel is a deep threat who's able to lift the top off of defenses while opening up the field for teammates. Finally, Burton, in limited duty with the Eagles, proved to be a mobile tight end who can burn defenses that don't assign a strong defender to him. Overall, the best news is that the entire offense will be learning new head coach Matt Nagy's offensive system at the same time, so the players can develop together. Despite the enthusiasm for the upcoming season, Trubisky carries plenty of risk, as his 2017 performance showed that he has a long way to go as he tries to develop into being the Bears' franchise quarterback.

The Saints and Savage agreed to a one-year contract Wednesday, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Texans, Savage didn't fare well in his 13 appearances (nine starts) over the last four seasons. Notably, his touchdown rate was a pitiful 2.2 percent, he tossed more interceptions (six) than TDs (five) and surpassed 300 yards in a game just one time. In his new locale, Savage will be in a cushy spot on the depth chart behind Drew Brees, who recently re-upped with the Saints for another two years.

The Broncos are nearing an agreement to trade Siemian (shoulder) to the Vikings, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The two sides may still be hammering out the specifics of the deal, but Siemian would serve as the backup signal caller to Kirk Cousins, whose contract has yet to be agreed upon. When given significant playing time the past two seasons, Siemian couldn't avoid the injury bug, tending to his non-throwing shoulder on both occasions. In 25 appearances during that stretch, the 2015 seventh-round pick completed 59.3 percent of his passes, averaged 218.7 yards per game and accounted for 30 touchdowns versus 24 interceptions.