NFL Player News

McCarthy (knee) is positioned as Minnesota's starting quarterback after Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones left in free agency, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Vikings may still bring in a veteran quarterback, but anyone they acquire at this point likely would just be a backup. Reports suggest the Vikings had interest in retaining Darnold or Jones but ultimately weren't wiling to pay as much as other teams. That can be taken as a sign of confidence in McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season with a meniscus tear after playing well in his lone preseason appearance. The 10th overall pick from last year's draft resumed on-field work this winter and should be ready to practice before training camp.

Jones is slated to sign with the Colts as both sides work to finalize a one-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jones' contract will be a one-year, $14 million deal once finalized, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The former Giants quarterback reportedly had an avenue to return to Minnesota, where he could have served as a veteran mentor to J.J. McCarthy (knee), but landing in Indianapolis will instead provide Jones with an opportunity to compete for the starting job against Anthony Richardson (back). General manager Chris Ballard had referred to an upcoming "open competition" between Richardson and a signal-caller to be determined, a role that will now be filled by Jones.

The Patriots have discussed trading Milton and would like to send him to the right situation to continue his development, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Milton was drafted by the Jerod Mayo and Alex Van Pelt regime in New England last year, and both coaches have since been fired. On Monday, the Patriots signed Joshua Dobbs to serve as Drake Maye's veteran backup, leaving Milton the odd man out in New England. Milton saw extensive action in Week 18 last season and completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. He rushed 10 times for 16 yards and an additional score, leading the Patriots to an upset win over the Bills and knocking New England out of the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft. Milton has loads of upside and a rocket arm and could probably fetch a mid-round pick.

McKee is in line to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Jalen Hurts for the 2025 season after the Eagles traded Kenny Pickett to the Browns on Monday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

McKee spent most of the 2024 campaign as the Eagles' emergency quarterback behind Hurts and Pickett. McKee did appear in two games and started in the Eagles' regular-season finale against the Giants, during which he completed 27 of 41 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. The 2023 seventh-round pick should be the favorite to be the Eagles' backup quarterback in 2025 unless another QB is added through free agency or the draft.

Wilson has agreed to a one-year contract with the Dolphins, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network, the Dolphins prioritized adding a steady backup QB option after the issues the team experienced last season when Tua Tagovailoa missed time. In adding Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Miami gains an experienced alternative with a degree of upside to work behind Tagovailoa in 2025. According to Schefter, Wilson's pact is a $6 million, fully-guaranteed deal that could grow to $10 million.

Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick were traded to the Eagles on Monday in exchange for Kenny Pickett, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The 2023 fifth-round pick appeared in 15 games (five starts) for the Browns over the past two seasons, completing 121 of his 230 pass attempts for 880 yards, one touchdown and 10 interceptions. Additionally, Thompson-Robinson rushed for 187 yards on 35 attempts. The 25-year-old now gets a fresh start in Philadelphia, where he's expected to sit behind Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee, serving as the team's No. 3 quarterback.

The Browns have acquired Pickett from the Eagles in exchange for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With Deshaun Watson still recovering from an Achilles injury that is expected to extend into the coming season and Jameis Winston a looming free agent, Pickett bolsters the Browns' QB room ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. The team figures to address the position further in the coming weeks/months, but as things stand, Pickett -- a 2022 first-rounder -- should have a chance to compete for the starting job in Cleveland after working behind Jalen Hurts last season.

Dobbs agreed to a two-year contract with the Patriots on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Dobbs served as a reserve quarterback for the 49ers in 2024 but got the Week 18 start with Brock Purdy (elbow) sidelined and Brandon Allen already earning a start himself Week 12. Between a pair of appearances, Dobbs completed 32 of 47 passes for 361 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, rushed nine times for 24 yards and two TDs and fumbled twice (one lost). In stints with five different teams, he's made 15 starts with a 3-12 record, so he brings an experienced hand behind rising second-year QB Drake Maye in New England.

Fields is slated to sign a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

After making 10 appearances, including six starts, for the Steelers in 2024, Fields lands in New York as the replacement for the soon-to-depart Aaron Rodgers. Fields completed 106 of 161 passes (a career-high 65.8 percent) for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, notched 62 carries for 289 yards and five TDs and fumbled six times (one lost) in Pittsburgh. With his new squad, Fields will be working with WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall.

Mullens is in line to sign with the Jaguars on a two-year, $6.5 million contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Mullens, now heading into his age-30 season, looks primed to operate as the new backup to Trevor Lawrence, with Mac Jones scheduled to depart Jacksonville in free agency. Across four regular-season appearances with Minnesota in 2024, Mullens completed two of two pass attempts for 38 yards and zero touchdowns or interceptions. Back in 2023 with the Vikings, he completed 100 of 148 pass attempts for 1,306 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions across five appearances.