NFL Player News

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Wednesday that Carr "does have an issue with his shoulder" and that the team is "hoping to get some resolution and clarity on that in the near future," Katherine Terrell of ESPN reports.

Loomis outwardly declined to answer any questions about Carr's injury or status with the team at Wednesday's press conference, additionally refusing to answer affirmatively or negatively when asked whether New Orleans' starting quarterback is currently on the roster, per John Sigler of USA Today. Carr reportedly is considering shoulder surgery that could impact his availability for 2025 due to a previously undisclosed injury, with speculation that the decision is related to dissatisfaction with the Saints and a desire to move on. Due to the veteran quarterback's contract being restructured in March, he is owed roughly $40 million guaranteed in salary and bonuses this season.

The Browns, Steelers and Vikings may be interested in acquiring Cousins, whose contract includes a no-trade clause, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

The contract also has a guaranteed $27.5 million salary for 2025, plus a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus in 2026. Cousins somewhat unexpectedly showed up for the start of Atlanta's voluntary OTAs this week, but he still seems to be hoping for a trade that would put him in a starting role -- preferably without competition from an early draft pick at the position. Pittsburgh would seem to be the cleanest fit, if Aaron Rodgers doesn't end up signing there and the Steelers don't use an early pick on a QB later this week. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot responded to some of the rumors and reports Wednesday, saying it's "not accurate" that the team has asked potential trade partners to take on at least $20 million of Cousins' salary, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network.

Cousins is present for the start of Atlanta's voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Cousins' attendance at voluntary OTAs is something of a surprise, after he was benched in Week 16 last season in favor of Michael Penix. Atlanta could have released Cousins in mid-March to avoid having his $10 million guaranteed roster bonus kick in, but the team opted to keep the veteran quarterback in house as a backup option or trade asset. However, Cousins' contract includes a no trade-clause, which he seems unlikely to waive unless it's to find a starting role elsewhere.

Purdy is present Tuesday for the start of San Francisco's voluntary offseason program, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Purdy's rookie deal is currently set to expire after the 2025 campaign, but he and the 49ers remain engaged in talks surrounding a new extension. Both Michael Silver and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report that Purdy's attendance for the start of voluntary OTAs is a sign that contract discussions are moving in the right direction, but this remains a situation that could drag on until the later stage of the offseason. Purdy struggled in 2024 compared to his stellar 2023 season, though the context of Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Christian McCaffrey (knee) both missing most of the year must be noted. The 25-year-old signal-caller will have do make do without Deebo Samuel, who has been traded to the Commanders, within his offensive playmaking group in 2025, but standout 36-year-old left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) has confirmed his intent to return for a 16th NFL season.

The Falcons signed Stick on Monday.

Stick is a 2019 fifth-round pick who spent the entirety of his NFL career before now with the Chargers. He suited up for five games (four starts) in 2023, completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, but he didn't log any regular-season action in 2024. Kirk Cousins currently remains on Atlanta's roster as the backup to Michael Penix, but if the veteran quarterback ultimately does waive his no-trade clause for a chance to compete elsewhere, Stick could get an opportunity to step into the No. 2 role.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday at the start of Minnesota's voluntary OTAs that McCarthy (knee) will participate in "full" with "no limitations," Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The 2024 first-round pick missed his entire rookie campaign due to a torn meniscus that he was diagnosed with just after his preseason debut, but after the quarterback resumed on-field work in January, O'Connell said McCarthy is now "ready to hit the ground running" with no training limitations, per Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune. Despite McCarthy not being able to log any regular-season action as a rookie, Minnesota's confidence in the young-signal caller was high enough for the team to allow Sam Darnold to sign with Seattle after a career year, leaving last year's 10th overall pick in clear position to enter Year 2 as a starter. With an elite top trio of pass catchers at his disposal in the form of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, plus an O-line recently bolstered by offseason signings Ryan Kelly and Will Fries (lower leg), McCarthy has all the surrounding support necessary to start his tenure in the No. 1 seat strong.

The Seahawks have received trade inquiries about Howell and are open to trading him, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Howell served as Seattle's backup last season and threw just 14 passes behind the mostly healthy Geno Smith. With Smith now in Las Vegas, Seattle has revamped its quarterback room, bringing in both Sam Darnold and Drew Lock. GM John Schneider said earlier this week that Howell would compete with Lock for the backup QB role, but the organization's reported willingness to deal Howell suggests that Lock has the inside track on the job. Howell could be an intriguing option for teams in need of a backup QB -- despite his struggles in a very limited sample last season (he completed just five of those 14 pass attempts), he has ample experience as a starter, completing 63 percent of his pass attempts for 3,946 yards and a 21:21 TD:INT over 17 regular-season games with Washington in 2023.

Howell will compete for the No. 2 job behind Sam Darnold after the Seahawks signed Drew Lock on Friday, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

GM John Schneider added that he looks forward to Howell's development in the new scheme after the Seahawks fired OC Ryan Grubb after just one season and replaced him with Klint Kubiak. Schneider also stated that Lock's arrival doesn't mean the team won't add another quarterback during the draft. Howell played just 25 snaps during 2024, completing five of 14 passes for 24 yards and an interception. Such a small sample size isn't determinative of Howell's future, however, as he was a serviceable option in Washington in 2023 with 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in addition to five rushing scores. Meanwhile, Lock's career numbers aren't much better, but he has familiarity with the organization and may be a more steady backup as the Seahawks look to perform a quick rebuild with Darnold's lead.

Rodgers said Thursday on the Pat McAfee Show his decision whether or not to play this season is not "about the money" and that he would "play for $10 million," Brooke Pryorand Rich Cimini of ESPN report.

"I never once said I needed a multi-year deal," Rodgers said, doubling down on the notion that if he does opt to suit up in 2025, the decision will be made solely based upon team circumstance and fit. The 41-year-old QB also made clear that his "focus" currently is "and will continue to be" his personal life, noting that "retirement still could be a possibility." Rodgers has been oft linked to the Steelers since being released by the Jets, especially in the wake of the Giants signing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, but Pittsburgh is now only one week away from heading into the 2025 NFL Draft without a clear commitment from Rodgers, which could motivate the team to make other moves at the position.

Carr's discussion of shoulder surgery may be related to dissatisfaction with the Saints and a desire to be released, according to Mike Triplett and Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.

Carr reportedly preferred to be released earlier this offseason, but the Saints instead did a simple contract restructure to shift more of his cap hit to future seasons without adding/removing money. It was then revealed last week that the 34-year-old QB is considering surgery for a previously unreported shoulder injury, and with a recovery timeline that could keep him out for the start of the 2025 season. It's hard to say exactly what's going on here, but it is clear that fantasy managers shouldn't assume Carr will be the Week 1 starter in New Orleans under new head coach Kellen Moore. The other options under contract are Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Ben DiNucci, which makes the Saints a top candidate to draft a QB on Day 1 or 2 next week.