NFL Player News

It is believed that Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins will not get traded this offseason, the Washington Post reports. Cousins' poor play late in 2013 along with a lack of market for him and a need for a capable backup behind Robert Griffin III make him unlikely to get moved. The Post did suggest that if a team is desperate and overpays for him that the Redskins would be interested. 

Rams coach Jeff Fisher told ESPN that Sam Bradford will be the starting quarterback in 2014 and still has the chance to earn a contract extension. Bradford is coming back from last year's torn ACL.

"Sam's doing great with the rehab," Fisher said. "He's really excited. He took on a leadership role last year and he's maintained that and he's our quarterback, and we've said that."

Fisher would not commit, however, to a new contract for Bradford, but he didn't rule it out. CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora reported that Bradford is unlikely to get a long-term deal, and he's due $27 million over the next two years.

"We talk about extensions with all our players under contract," Fisher said. "Whether or not we do so with him, I don't know where all this came from, but Sam's our quarterback. He's going to be under center."

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford is not expected to get a contract extension, reports CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora.

LaCanfora reports that a source says the Rams are open to an extension for Bradford, who is due $27 million over the next two years. But a longer deal would still be a surprise to many because adding guaranteed money beyond the current deal would make it cumbersome for the team to part with Bradford.

Bradford is coming off a torn ACL from last season but is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2014 season.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins has been in the news a lot lately as a potential trade target for another team. Maybe news about improved eyesight will not only help his prospects for a new team but also his on-field performance. 

Cousins underwent a Lasik procedure so he wouldn't play with contacts anymore, ESPN reports. His vision should improve and, more importantly, he won't need to carry backup contacts with him. 

"In this league the difference between Pro Bowl and getting cut is that small," Cousins said. "For me in shotgun, when I go through the cadence my eyes are on the defense but as I'm closer to saying 'hut' my eyes have to stay on the ball. To have my eye on the ball coming at me, I still have to feel a blitz from the left or right to know if you need to throw a hot or if the corner is blitzing off the edge. There's a lot to process and you have to feel the pass rush. The more you can see out of the corner of your eye -- blitzes, pass protection, open receivers -- all of it is effective. When you have strong peripheral vision you can take in a lot of information at once."

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer was upset to see general manager Mike Lombardi go since he was a big supporter, but Hoyer's already looking forward to the challenge of impressing new coach Mike Pettine and a new offensive coordinator in Kyle Shanahan, reports the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

Hoyer doesn't know if he'll be the starter next season, especially coming off a torn ACL last year, but he's excited to prove himself once offseason workouts begin.

"For me it’s about coming in here, rehabbing, preparing myself as best I can for when we start back up and go from there," he said. "From my time talking to coach Pettine, I'm excited to play for the guy. He's one of those coaches who you look at him and he's a football guy. He's going to bring some intensity, accountability, all of those things. For me, I can't wait for April to start."

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is running, lifting and throwing, says the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. He's seventeen weeks removed from ACL surgery and is moving beyond the rehab phase. Hoyer remains hopeful to start for the team in 2014. 

The Jets are expected to be in the market for a quarterback to compete with Geno Smith this season, and ESPN speculates Michael Vick, Matt Schaub and Kirk Cousins are three potential veteran options.

For Vick, who is a free agent, there is a familiarity with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's system when the two were in Philadelphia. Schaub could be cut or traded by the Texans, and he might need a change of scenery after last year's disaster. And Cousins could be someone the Jets target via trade as a young veteran with upside.

Smith is still expected to be the starter this year, but a lot will depend on who is brought in for competition.

Now that the Browns have changed their front office with CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi out, the future for quarterback Brian Hoyer could be unknown, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Lombardi was a fan of Hoyer and brought him to Cleveland. The new staff seems to love him too, but the Browns could draft a quarterback at No. 4 overall and decide to move on from Hoyer.

The report says if Hoyer wants a chance to start then Texans coach Bill O'Brien, who coached Hoyer in New England, would probably at least be intrigued. But the Browns would have to decide to part ways with Hoyer to make that happen since he's signed through this season.

Former Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo made a key criticism of Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, suggesting he was asked to do too much and it made him uncomfortable. Angelo reviewed every starting quarterback for TheSidelineView.com. 

"Top character and work habits. Is book smart, with average football IQ," Angelo wrote about Dalton. "He's in his comfort level when everything around him is working. He struggles when it's all on him. His accuracy isn't as sharp as his ability to read coverage. Part of his problem is he was over used. Too many attempts for a pedestrian QB. You can like him, but can't love him."

Dalton had his best season statistically in 2013, throwing for 4,293 yards and 33 touchdowns with 20 interceptions. But he faltered in the playoffs for the third year in a row and ultimately threw six interceptions in Week 17 and the playoff game combined. 

Former Bears general manager Jerry Angelo gave some notes on each starting quarterback around the league and didn't hold back when discussing Matthew Stafford of the Lions. 

"Stafford, in my eyes, not only did not win games for the Lions this year, but also LOST them for his team," Angelo wrote. "Carelessness with the ball, inaccurate throws and poor mechanics will prevent him from ever turning into an elite QB. Calvin Johnson masks a lot of his faults."

Stafford threw for 4,650 yards and 29 touchdowns with 19 interceptions last season. In the Lions' last four games -- all losses -- Stafford threw five interceptions and two touchdowns.