NFL Player News

Eagles coach Chip Kelly does not need to have a mobile quarterback for his offense to be successful, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Michael Vick is competing for the starting job with Nick Foles, and rookie Matt Barkley might also be in the mix.

"If the fact they have the ability to run, I believe that's an added bonus, but that's not the precursor to what we do," Kelly said. "We've said it since day one. I want the quarterback that has the ability to run. I do not want a running back that can throw. We've never been that type of offense, and I think that's a misconception."

Dolphins linebacker Philip Wheeler said he feels the Miami offense will "put up points" in 2013, according to The Palm Beach Post. 

"We have a fast offense, man," Wheeler said. "We have playmakers at receiver. Any one of those guys can break it open at anytime. We have a young quarterback but he’s out there playing like a veteran. We have a big offensive line and we can run the power game, spread them out. We can do whatever. Our tight end, we’ve got some of the best tight ends in the game."

Wheeler isn't the only defensive player expecting a big year from quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

"Seeing Tannehill as a rookie and seeing him now, I think he’s increased his skill level leaps and bounds,” defensive back Jimmy Wilson said. "I think he’s more comfortable with the game. He’s bigger, faster, stronger and everybody knows he has a NFL arm. … We’ve thrown a lot at him early and he seems to be handling it real well."

Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis said he hasn't lost faith in quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who has struggled since being the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

"I'm proud of him, regardless of what others may think," Lewis told NFL Network last week." "I know how hard it is for him, and I know he puts a lot of pressure on himself to be great ... It's him and Chad Henne. They're battling, and the way he's just stayed focused, put his head down and pinned his ears back -- I think when it's time to go and the season starts, he'll be ready."

Despite his struggles, Lewis feels Gabbert has learned through his trials and tribulations.

"I think from when Blaine came in and got thrown into the fire once we let David Garrard go. ... It was a tough spot for him to be in," Lewis said. "Because you want to come in and play right away once you get to the NFL, but I think once that really hit him, like, 'OK, this is my time.' It still hit him unexpectedly. It's been a little maturity issue there, just growing up and owning the offense and taking everybody under your wing and leading us to where we want to go and so far this year from OTAs and quarterback school and being there, he's taken that step forward."

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has led the NFL in pass attempts the last two seasons. Though, Stafford admitted last season he had to throw a lot because the Lions were trailing often.

"A lot of the time, we were throwing the ball because of circumstance," he told NFL Network last week, per the Detroit Free Press. "We were behind in games late in the game, and it’s tough to justify handing the ball off a lot and trying to get back into it."

The Lions ranked 23rd in the league in 2012 in rushing yards and 25th in rushing attempts. 

"We have to find a way to be more explosive in the run game and a little bit more balanced as well," Stafford said. "We did that in going out and getting Reggie (Bush) and then continuing to work with the guys that we already have on the team."

Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith opted against attending quarterback Mark Sanchez's voluntary, offseason workout program in California. Though, Sanchez said Smith's absence wasn't "a big deal."

"We invited everybody, we emailed everybody, we do it every year," Sanchez told the NFL Network from his training camp. "I sent out an email to everybody. Some guys got back quicker than the others, but everybody was invited. It's not a big deal that he is not here."

Sanchez and Smith will battle for the starting quarterback job when training camp opens.

"If Geno comes or doesn't come, it is not a big deal," Sanchez said. "I don't hold it against anybody who's not here. Some guys are getting married, some guys are going on vacation, some guys are doing stuff, so it's totally optional. And it's a big sacrifice -- you got to leave your family, you got to leave what you're doing, wherever you're from. So I totally understand. It's not a big deal."

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez plans to win the starting job once training camp opens, reports ESPN. Sanchez is expected to compete with rookie Geno Smith for the job.

"When it's a straight-up competition for the job, let's roll," Sanchez said. "It really doesn't bother me at all. It really doesn't affect my confidence or anything like that. We're competing for something. All right, I'm going to win. That's just how I am."

The report said the competition is expected to last at least two preseason games, with the organization hoping that Smith, drafted in the second round, can make a serious run at the job. Sanchez is coming off his second straight 26-turnover season, but he still wants to make it work in New York.

"I love being here, I love playing here," said Sanchez, who has a 33-29 starting record in four seasons. "We've tasted success here and we've seen that formula work and we're getting back to that. There was a little adversity last year. Call it a little, call it a lot, call it whatever. It doesn't affect the way I train, the way I work."

The Bengals will likely go with Josh Johnson as the No. 2 quarterback this season behind Andy Dalton, the team's official website reports.

Johnson will face competition from John Skelton and Zac Robinson, but it's his job to lose. The report says Johnson is "the crop's best runner, he can throw it deep and he knows the system."

Since Dalton has taken over as the starter, the Bengals have carried just two quarterback on the roster.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is getting good feedback from his teammates this offseason, reports the Miami Herald.

The report says the player feedback on Tannehill is he's more instinctive, less mechanical and less robotic in his reads.

That's a good sign for the second-year quarterback, who should be better prepared after being a full-time starter as a rookie.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has agreed to a three-year contract extension that is worth $53 million in new money, reports ESPN.

He had two years and $23.5 million remaining on his previous deal. He is now under contract with the Lions through the 2017 season and is set to receive $43 million in guaranteed money.

Stafford, 25, signed a six-year contract worth up to $78 million, with $41.7 million in guarantees, when he was selected No. 1 overall in 2009.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is on the verge of signing a "blockbuster" contract extension, reports ESPN.

The extension could be finalized as early as Tuesday. Stafford is signed through 2015, but the Lions have said they wanted to rework his contract since his salary-cap hit is $20.3 million for 2013.

He is currently slated to earn $11 million in 2014 ($19.3 million salary cap number) and $15 million in 2015 ($17.7 million salary cap number).