NFL Player News

Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said the team is excited about third-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill as the long-term starter, reports the Miami Herald. Tannehill set career highs this season in passing yards (4,045) and passing touchdowns (27) while throwing a career-low 12 interceptions.

"We're excited about what Ryan has brought to the Dolphins," Hickey said. "We're excited about his future with the Dolphins."

The paper said the team must decide whether to negotiate a long-term contract extension with Tannehill "or simply exercise a one-year injury guarantee option that extends Tannehill through the 2016 season."

Tannehill is due $660,000 in 2015, plus a $1.5 million roster bonus.

New Jets coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan had little to say about quarterback Geno Smith's future at a news conference Wednesday, reports Pro Football Talk. Bowles referred to Smith as "a great college quarterback" but didn't assess his performance as a pro or say whether Smith would be his 2015 starter.

Maccagnan, asked about the team's quarterback situation, said he doesn't "want to get too far ahead of ourselves." Smith is under contract through 2016, while Michael Vick is set to hit free agency. Smith accounted for 14 touchdowns and 16 turnovers this season.

The Jets could draft a quarterback at No. 6 overall.

Newly hired Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Tuesday he thinks the offense he worked with in Phliadelphia could fit pretty well in Oakland.

"We talked about tailoring our system to fit them, but I've got a hunch that a lot of the things we did in Philadelphia will match up real nice and be effective," Musgrave said on a conference call.

Oakland ranked dead last in offense in 2014 with rookie quarterback Derek Carr at the helm. But Musgrave and a few other coaches were attracted to the job because of Carr.

"The presence of Derek was definitely a factor," Musgrave said. "I think a number of coaches have expressed interest in being Jack's offensive coordinator I know he talked to a number of people, and one of the main reasons would be the presence of Derek Carr."

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who threw 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, is going to the Pro Bowl in place of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Bengals announced. Rodgers pulled out due to his calf injury.

This will be Dalton's second Pro Bowl, as he also made it in 2011.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for just 178 yards on 19 of 34 passing in Green Bay's 28-22 loss to the Seahawks in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

After settling for field goals on their first two chances, Rodgers scrambled around the pocket before finding wide receiver Randall Cobb in the back of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.

Despite the strong early start, Rodgers threw two interceptions and was limping most of the second half, most noticeably on a 12 yard scramble to get out of bounds to set a field goal late.

"It's going to be a missed opportunity that we're probably going to think about the rest of my career," Rodgers said. "We were the better team today and we played well enough to win and we can't blame anybody but ourselves."

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson struggled for most of the NFC Championship Game, throwing four interceptions. However, when the game reached overtime, Wilson connected on two different plays for 35 yards each, including the game-winning touchdown to Jermaine Kearse to send Seattle to the Super Bowl.

Wilson threw for 209 yards in the game and rushed for 25 yards, including a touchdown.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and running back Eddie Lacy are both active for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Seahawks.

Rodgers, who is dealing with a torn calf muscle, played through the injury last week and was considered probable for the contest.

Lacy was dealing with a knee injury, but was also considered probable for the game.

The Packers are currently 8-point underdogs against the Seahawks Sunday.

The Packers announced Friday quarterback Aaron Rodgers (calf) and running back Eddie Lacy (knee) are both listed as probable for Sunday's NFC title game at Seattle. Defensive end Josh Boyd (ankle) and guard Josh Sitton (toe) are also probable.

"Aaron is getting ready to play," McCarthy said during his Friday press conference. "Looks good. Everything is on schedule."

McCarthy also had a positive report on Lacy.

"Looks good to me," McCarthy said.

The Seahawks are considered 7 1/2-point favorites for Sunday's game.

Ravens backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor is contemplating his future as he is set to hit the free-agent market after backing up Joe Flacco the last four seasons. Taylor did not attempt a pass in 2014 for the first time in his career.

"That's the nature of the game," Taylor said of playing infrequently, per The Baltimore Sun. "I knew that coming into this situation. When I got drafted here, Joe was pretty durable. My job was to stay ready and I think I've done that in my time here. I've learned a lot.

"I've been reliable. The coaches have confidence in me. It's just a fresh start. I knew the reality was coming. I have had time to think about it and we'll see what's the plan moving forward."

Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is not a believer of the calf injury Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered late in the season. He told reporters on Thursday that he and the rest of his defensive unit won't play Rodgers any differently, despite his injury, according to ESPN.

"I'm not buying into this leg issue," Thomas said. "I saw him scramble close to the goal line on the Cowboys, so he's not fooling me with that. I'm not falling into that."

Rodgers avoided Richard Sherman's side and was limited to 189 passing yards, with one touchdown and one interception in this year's season opener against Seattle. Thomas had just five combined tackles that night. He finished the season with 97 tackles, three forced fumbles and one interception.

Seattle is a 7 1/2-point home favorite in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against Green Bay.