NFL Player News

The Broncos would like to see Lynch take the reins at some point this season, 9NEWS reports.

Lynch became Denver's future the moment they traded up in the first round to nab him. Ever since, however, the conversation around 2016's starter has been around Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian. Lynch is easily the most physically gifted of the three, but he's supposedly still refining his game and adjusting to a pro offense. Whether Lynch ends up finding the playing field will likely depend on whether Denver's defense and running game is carrying it to another playoff berth. Head coach Gary Kubiak opted for experience over physical skill last playoffs, albeit in the form of a future Hall of Famer in Peyton Manning, not a journeyman like Sanchez. This scenario has played out in Mile High before under offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. Denver was 7-4 with Jake Plummer under center in 2006, only to test out Jay Cutler and fall to 9-7, out of the playoff race.

The Eagles and Bethel-Thompson agreed to a contract Sunday, Adam Caplan of ESPN reports.

Bethel-Thompson spent a portion of the offseason with the Eagles, who ring in as his fifth NFL organization. However, he was away from the team during the all-important OTAs and mandatory minicamp, meaning he's likely a mere camp body in a QB room composed of presumptive starter Sam Bradford, 2016 second overall pick Carson Wentz, and offseason signee Chase Daniel.

Cousins and the Redskins will not reach agreement on a long-term extension ahead of Friday's deadline, Yahoo! reports.

Cousins' representatives and the Redskins have long been far apart on contract terms, so it's of little surprise that he won't go into the upcoming campaign with a new multi-year deal. Instead, Cousins will play under Washington's $19.953 million franchise tag, making him the first quarterback in 11 years to play under such designation. After a breakout 2015 season, Cousins will hope a similarly strong 2016 results in a huge payday next offseason, and with a bevy of weapons surrounding him, Cousins should like his current position.

Cousins is not expected to sign an extension prior to Friday's deadline for franchise-tagged players, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

If no agreement is reached by Friday afternoon, Cousins will play out 2016 with a $19.953 million salary. He'd be in line for a huge, multi-year deal if he were to have another strong season, but an ineffective or injury-plagued campaign could push him back into the price range for No. 2 quarterbacks. Cousins has a nice array of weapons to help him out, with first-round rookie wideout Josh Doctson joining a group that already includes DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder and TE Jordan Reed.

Due to Tom Brady's four-game suspension being enforced by the 2nd U.S. District Court of Appeals, Garoppolo will likely start the Patriots' first four regular season games.

Garoppolo will become the team's starter, while 2016 third-round pick Jacoby Brissett will presumably serve as his backup while Brady is out. The third-year pro will gain some valuable NFL starting experience through Brady's absence, and the playing time will give him a certain degree of fantasy value in the first quarter of the campaign. Furthermore, if Garoppolo is able to thrive in the role, his future trade value figures to be enhanced as well.

Siemian is narrowly behind Mark Sanchez in the Broncos' quarterback battle, Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports.

There's no doubt that some of the buzz around Siemian has to do with the slow summer news cycle. Still, the drum beat behind him has persisted through spring practices and is hard to ignore. Sanchez was never supposed to be more than a stopgap. By developing Siemian into a starter-quality option with first-rounder Paxton Lynch waiting in the wings, they could solidify the position for years to come or create a valuable trade chip in the 2015 seventh-rounder.

Shaw has been awarded to the Bears via waivers, Cleveland.com reports.

Shaw was waived by the Browns on Thursday, but will now be reunited with former quarterbacks coach and current Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains in Chicago. After missing last season due to thumb surgery, Shaw figures to compete with former teammate Brian Hoyer for snaps behind Jay Cutler during training camp this summer.

Shaw was released by the Browns on Thursday, Marc Sessler of NFL.com reports.

Shaw made just one start throughout his two years in Cleveland, but was a long shot to make the roster heading into the 2016 season with Robert Griffin, Josh McCown, Austin Davis and rookie Cody Kessler competing for spots. Shaw spent his 2015 campaign on injured reserve due to a broken thumb, but the 24-year-old could be signed by another squad prior to upcoming training camps.

Siemian is neck and neck with Mark Sanchez for the starting QB job, the Denver Post reports.

Siemian's candidacy for the starting job has been talked up more and more in recent weeks, with head coach Gary Kubiak fanning the flames by complimenting the young passer in the press. Denver's lone returning starter benefits from a superior understanding of the team's offense, but it would be a shock if last year's seventh-round pick, who has yet to throw a professional pass, secures the job by the end of training camp. Sanchez is reportedly close to learning the entire offense, and rookie first-round pick Paxton Lynch is likely the most physically gifted of the three and may only lack additional experience in order to compete.

Jones will have "everything" thrown at him during his rookie campaign, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW Buffalo reports.

In full, offensive coordinator Greg Roman stated: "You know, we are trying to really throw everything at him which is somewhat unfair, but in the long run, it is probably the best way to do things." However, Roman justified the plan as a way to prepare Jones for minicamp, and due to the fact that a thorough evaluation of him as a player can't be completed until he's been fully exposed to the offense. In other words, the Bills spent a fourth-round draft pick on Jones solely because of his tantalizing upside, and fully understand that the young gunslinger enters the league as a developmental project after seeing just limited action as a starter at Ohio State. Starting QB Tyrod Taylor is under contract with the Bills for another two years, with the second year a club option, allowing Roman at least a couple years time to groom and polish the rookie quarterback.