NFL Player News

The Texans re-signed quarterback Ryan Mallett to a two-year, $7 million deal, reports the Houston Chronicle. Mallett is expected to compete with Brian Hoyer, who is set to sign with Houston on Tuesday, the paper said.

The signings make quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick expendable. Releasing Fitzpatrick would free up $3.2 million in cap space, the paper noted.

Mallett threw for 400 yards in three games last season, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Both Mallett and Hoyer played for Texans coach Bill O'Brien when he was an offensive assistant with the Patriots.

Free agent quarterback Brian Hoyer will sign with the Texans, reports NBC4 in Washington. Hoyer would compete for the starting job in Houston.

Hoyer started 13 games for the Browns last season, completing 55.3 percent of his throws for 3,326 yards and 12 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. The Jets also reportedly were interested in Hoyer, who is apparently reuniting with Texans coach Bill O'Brien.

Hoyer spent his first three seasons with the Patriots (2009-11). O'Brien served as New England's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during that time.

Houston is finalizing a deal to bring back quarterback Ryan Mallett, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick remains under contract. Hoyer would have to beat out one or both for the starting role.

The Texans are nearing a deal with quarterback Ryan Mallett, according to a report from the Houston Chronicle. 

The Texans traded for Mallett before the start of the 2014 season with the former Arkansas standout entering the final year of his rookie deal. He only appeared in three games this past season due to a right pectoral injury that sidelined him the remainder of the year. 

In addition to Mallett, the Texans are also interested in signing free agent quarterback Brian Hoyer. Texans coach Bill O'Brien coached both Mallett and Hoyer when he was the offensive coordinator with the Patriots. 

The Jets are interested in potentially going after quarterback Brian Hoyer in free agency, reports the New York Daily News. 

Hoyer spent the past two seasons with the Browns and threw for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2014. Hoyer likely won't re-sign with the Browns as Cleveland brought in quarterback Josh McCown earlier this offseason. 

The Texans are eyeing former Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer as a top quarterback target in free agency, according to Jeff Darlington of NFL Media.

Hoyer played in 14 games for the Browns in 2014, throwing for 3,326 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He lost his starting position to Johnny Manziel in Week 15, but was forced back into action after Manziel suffered a season-ending injury. Hoyer, who has ties to his former New England coach and current coach of the Texans, Bill O'Brien.

Outside of the Texans, the Jets, Titans, Rams could all be looking to add a quarterback to the roster. Teams began talking to agents for players with expiring contracts starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. However, no deals can be finalized until Tuesday, the first day of the new NFL calendar.

>> Want more NFL offseason? >> Mock drafts | Free agency tracker

Quarterback Brian Hoyer went 10-6 over two seasons with the Browns, making him the only quarterback to post a winning record among 22 Browns starters since the franchise's 1999 rebirth, per USA Today.

Still, the Browns have chosen to part ways with Hoyer after signing Josh McCown to a three-year, $14 million contract last week. However, it doesn't seem Hoyer holds any ill will toward the Browns.

"It's good for both sides to get a fresh start and go our separate ways," Hoyer said. "Being from here, I'll always root for the Browns. I know I'm going to be continuing my football career somewhere."

Hoyer could be one of the more sought after free-agent quarterbacks now that McCown is headed to Cleveland and the Bills acquired Matt Cassell. The Jets, Titans, Rams and Texans could all be looking to add a quarterback to the roster. 

"It's an exciting time, my first time as a free agent," Hoyer said. "You don't know where you'll be living in two months. The good thing is I'll have an opportunity to be on an NFL team, and hopefully, compete for a starting job. ... I have a lot to offer whatever team I go to. My best football is still ahead."

Dolphins' WR Mike Wallace was benched in the second half of the season finale, and it's uncertain if the team will keep him in 2015. 

The Dolphins can save $6.9 million by cutting Wallace in the offseason, but his quarterback has his back. 

Ryan Tannehill told the Miami Herald he settled any issues with Wallace after the tumultuous final game. "We cleared the air," Tannehill said. "There's no problem there."

Despite that, Tannehill isn't sure if Wallace will return. 

"I like Mike," he told the Palm Beach Post. "He’s a talented player and we’ll see what happens. It’s tough to lose a guy that works hard day in and day out at practice, but at the end of the day it’s a reminder that it’s a business. It doesn’t matter the kind of player you are or the type of relationship you have, it comes down to numbers."

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is visiting the Buccaneers on Tuesday, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. He said the visit might be unprecedented because "potential No. 1 picks don't visit teams with No. 1 picks this early. Ever."

CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler, Rob Rang and Pat Kirwan all project the Bucs taking Winston over Oregon's Marcus Mariota at No. 1 overall. The draft will be held April 30-May 2 in Chicago.

ESPN.com reports Mariota is expected to visit the Bucs within the next month.

The Lions have re-signed quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a one-year deal, per the team's website.

Orlovsky will return to a backup role behind starter Matthew Stafford. Originally drafted by the Lions in the fifth round of the 2005 draft, Orlovsky has attempted 472 career passes. He's made 12 starts in his career, with seven coming for the Lions in 2008 and five for the Colts in 2011.

With the signing of Josh McCown Friday, Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer could be looking elsewhere for employment. Coach Mike Pettine called Hoyer to inform him the team was signing McCown and Hoyer appears ready to move on, according to Albert Breer of the NFL Network.

Hoyer played in 14 games for the Browns in 2014, throwing for 3,326 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He lost his starting position to Johnny Manziel in Week 15, but was forced back into action after Manziel suffered a season-ending injury.