NFL Player News

The Seahawks and quarterback Russell Wilson are "10s of millions" apart in contract negotiations, various sources familiar with the talks have told radio station ESPN 710.

The offer by the club for an extension to Wilson is believed to be around $80 million. That would put him in the same ballpark with such veteran quarterbacks as Colin Kaepernick and Andy Dalton, but not the veteran elite such as Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger.

Wilson has guided Seattle to the Super Bowl in each of the last two years, winning it in 2013. But running back Marshawn Lynch and the defense have generally received much of the credit. Wilson, however, is coming off another strong season in which he completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,475 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The Jets have announced three signings of 2015 draftees, including quarterback and fourth-rounder Bryce Petty.

Also in the fold are third-round selection and linebacker Lorenzo Mauldon and seventh-rounder and defensive tackle Deon Simon.

Despite the assumption of many that the Eagles traded for quarterback Sam Bradford to make him the automatic starter, fellow signal-caller Mark Sanchez doesn't perceive the situation the same way.

Sanchez believes there will be an open competition in camp, which is why he signed a two-year deal worth $9 million to return to Philadelphia.

"Absolutely," he told NFL.com. "That's the way I understand it. ... Just talking with coach (Chip) Kelly and knowing I'm comng with the opportunity to compete for the starting job. That was important to me."

Sanchez completed 64 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the Eagles a year ago.

With the Buccaneers taking quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick in the 2015 draft, general manager Jason Licht said Winston will be given a chance to win the starting role in Week 1, reports NBCSports.com.

"It's pretty difficult to say with a straight face that we're not going to give Jameis that opportunity to win it right away," Licht said. "He's the first overall pick. We think he's very advanced in terms of his ability to play and pick up schemes and concepts and learn the playbook relative to most rookies, or any rookie we've scouted in recent history. So he's gonna have every opportunity."

Winston will be competing with quarterback Mike Glennon for the starting role.

Jameis Winston's four-year, $23.5 million contract with the Buccaneers contains a clause that prohibits the No. 1 overall pick from playing baseball, reports MMQB.SI.com.

Winston pitched as a reliever for two baseball seasons while attedning Florida State University and had discussed in the past his goal of playing professional baseball.

Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters he did not speak with Drew Brees prior to the draft, per the team's website. With the 75th overall pick, New Orleans selected Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson, who will compete with Ryan Griffin and Luke McCown to serve as Brees' backup next season.

"No, no. I think every year we are just constantly evaluating the players at positions," Payton said, per the team's official website. "I think it would be different if all of a sudden we are taking a quarterback in the first round and we had a different vision, but in our case it is pretty clear, we love our starter.

"It gives the young players behind him a chance to mature and develop. Look, nothing is given to any of these guys, you guys have been here long enough to see us operate as a staff. Garrett (Grayson) is going to have to come in and compete with Ryan (Griffin). He is going to have to compete with Luke (McCown), but no."

The Raiders drafted WR Amari Cooper in the first round, and playing in Nick Saban's all-business Alabama program prepared him for the NFL. 

"He wanted us to work hard. He wanted guys of high character," Cooper said of Saban, per the Mercury News. "He wanted us to be diligent in our approach to watching film, taking practice really serious. He believes if you practice well, you play well."

Quarterback Derek Carr saw the result of that work ethic when he watched film of his new receiver. "He's very good in and out of his breaks," Carr said on Oakland's 95.7. "You know he's going to create separation. He's going to make all the other receivers better. Everyone on this team should be happy to have him."

The Buccaneers announced that they had signed QB Jameis Winston on Friday. 

Winston was the first overall pick in the 2015 Draft, Thursday night. 

According to Ian Rapoport, citing a source, the contract is for four years, $25.35 million, and includes a $16.7 million signing bonus.

"I'm rich off happiness," Winston said, per the Tampa Tribune. "I'm not motivated by money, not at all."

Bill O'Brien expressed disdain for a question Thursday night inferring that the Texans are still seeking their franchise quarterback.

"You know, 'until we find our quarterback' like I just want to make sure that just personally I'm clear on that," he said via ESPN. "We feel really good about our quarterback position. To be honest with you, I'm a little tired of hearing that."

The thought of the Texans addressing the situation in the first round seems a bit far-fetched when considering that premier talents Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were gone after two picks and no other top candidates were thought of that highly.

Houston is set to wage a competition between Ryan Mallett and free agent signing Brian Hoyer for the starting job. O'Brien is not complaining about that.

"These guys are in here competing," he said. "They're learning. They're doing a good job so far in the offseason workouts. We can't wait to get out there and start working with them."

The trade rumors involving Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford on draft day either proved to be false or potential deals simply fell through. Either way, Chip Kelly has announced the the team is discussing a contract extension with agent Tom Condon, according to NJ.com.

Kelly added that there was no truth to the rumors that the Eagles were seeking to unload Bradford to the highest bidder.

"We never discussed players," Kelly said.

Bradford is set to play out the final year of his rookie contract that will pay bim $12.9 million. Injuries have hampered his career. He missed all of last season after playing in just seven games in 2013.