NFL Player News

McKee completed 30 of 45 pass attempts (67 percent) for 323 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions across two regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also rushed five times for minus-one yards.

McKee played 34 percent of offensive snaps Week 17, with Jalen Hurts in the concussion protocol and backup Kenny Pickett having been forced out early due to a ribs injury, and he then started the team's Week 18 regular-season finale against New York. Having shown out well in limited action, McKee seems a solid candidate to reprise his No. 3 quarterback role behind Hurts and Pickett during the 2025 season. He has two years remaining on his deal with Philadelphia.

Pickett completed 25 of 42 pass attempts (60 percent) for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interceptions across five regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also rushed nine times for 15 yards and one touchdown, and he fumbled once.

Almost all of Pickett's offensive snaps came in two appearances, Week 16 and Week 17, when he filled in for a concussed Jalen Hurts before being forced off the field due to a ribs injury of his own. Pickett was cleared in time for the start of Philadelphia's playoff run, ultimately playing a backup role behind Hurts en route to the team's Super Bowl LIX victory. He has one year remaining on his deal with the Eagles and figures to reprise his role as Hurts' backup for the 2025 season.

Cousins may wait until after the NFL Draft to request a trade and/or waive his no-trade clause, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

The idea would be to see which teams use an early pick on a quarterback before finding a new home for 2025. Cousins, of course, signed a four-year contract with the Falcons last offseason, only to see them take Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick. Cousins mostly struggled in his first year back from an Achilles tear, and Penix eventually took over the starting job for the final three weeks. It may help Cousins to be another year removed from his injury, but he'll also be in his age-37 season, likely nearing the end of the line. It's unclear if he'd generate serious trade interest as a potential starter.

Watson (Achilles) has agreed to a contract restructure that frees up $36 million in 2025 cap space for the Browns, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The agreement likely adds another void year to the contract while also converting base salary into a bonus. Watson still figures to get all the money from his disastrous, fully guaranteed contract, although he may eventually play out the end of the deal as a backup or even be released. His 2024 campaign ended in October after he ruptured his right Achilles tendon -- an injury that was surgically repaired shortly thereafter, only for Watson to re-rupture the tendon later on. He had a second surgery Jan. 9, making him unlikely to be ready for Week 1 of 2025 (almost exactly eight months later). Watson has been rehabbing at the team facility but is expected to miss "significant time in the 2025 season," according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Once healthy, Watson may have to settle for a backup role, be it behind a rookie or another veteran quarterback.

Prescott (hamstring) and the Cowboys agreed to terms Wednesday on a contract restructure that opens up $36.6 million in cap space, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Prescott's restructure comes just after the Cowboys made a similar move with CeeDee Lamb's contract, with the two adjustments freeing up a combined $56.6 million in cap space one week before the official start of free agency. The pair of transactions signal a willingness from the Cowboys to make a splash on the open market this offseason or work out a long-term deal for three-time All-Pro Micah Parsons. Prescott remains on track in his recovery from a torn right hamstring that he had surgically repaired back in November.

The Raiders plan to release Minshew (collarbone) when the new league year begins next Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Minshew is entering the final season of a two-year contract, following a 2024 campaign that ended early when he suffered a broken collarbone Nov. 24. He should be recovered from the injury in time for offseason activities, but there's no guarantee of him getting another shot to compete for a starting job, as he may have to settle for a backup role this time around. Over his 10 appearances for Las Vegas this past season, Minshew completed 203 of 306 pass attempts (66.3 percent) for 2,013 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 58 yards on 19 carries.

The Vikings will not franchise tag Darnold by Tuesday's deadline, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Darnold will officially be allowed to test free agency, which kicks off at the start of the new league year March 12, though Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that both sides remain mutually interested about potentially re-upping on a short-term deal. After a career-best 2024 campaign, however, in which he threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, Darnold's demand on the open market could exceed Minnesota's best offers, especially with 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (knee) waiting for a chance to vault into the starting role after having missed his rookie year due to injury. Darnold has reportedly drawn interest from teams including the Giants and Raiders, and with Matthew Stafford having re-signed with the Rams, he figures to be viewed as an increasingly intriguing option for QB-needy clubs.

The Vikings aren't expected to place a franchise tag on Darnold, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Darnold broke through with a career-best season in 2024, registering a 35:12 TD:INT while throwing for 4,319 yards and completing 66.2 percent of his pass attempts over 17 regular-season games. However, he struggled in a Week 18 loss to the Lions that cost Minnesota a first-round playoff bye, throwing for just 166 yards, then had a subpar performance in the team's NFC wild-card loss to the Rams, throwing for 245 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Darnold joined the Vikings on a one-year contract last March, so he's slated to be a free agent and has drawn interest from the Giants and the Raiders, among other teams. However, Schefter notes that Minnesota remains interested in re-signing Darnold.

The Giants and Raiders are believed to have the most interest in Darnold, but the Titans and Steelers may also vie for his services, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic.

The Vikings have until Tuesday to place a franchise/transition tag on Darnold. They reportedly want him back, depending on the price, which means they may also consider a tag-and-trade if they sense the market for his services is especially strong. It sounds like the scenario in which he actually ends up playing for the Vikings in 2025 is one where he hits the open market but is disappointed by the available offers and returns to Minnesota as one of the lesser-paid starting QBs in the league. Darnold likely would have to compete with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy (knee) in Minnesota, whereas the Raiders or Giants might consider offering assurances about starting in 2025.

The Raiders informed Ridder on Friday that the team will not tender the quarterback an offer as a restricted free agent, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Raiders were heavily involved in talks with Matthew Stafford, but Stafford opted to return to the Rams on a new deal Friday. Las Vegas will need to go on to its next option at the position, but the depth chart will not include Ridder. Signed off the Cardinals' practice squad in October, Ridder appeared in six games (one start) for the Raiders last season. He completed just 61.2 percent of his 85 pass attempts for 458 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Ridder will look for a backup opportunity elsewhere.