NFL Player News

Coach Shane Steichen noted Monday that Richardson (right shoulder) "should be" OK for the Colts' OTAs, which take place in May and early June, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.

"I like where he's at," Steichen said of Richardson, who is bouncing back from surgery that he underwent on his throwing shoulder in October. "He's progressing really, really well. He's just getting better and better." Per James Boyd of The Athletic, Richardson began throwing again last month, and, considering that, the 2023 first-rounder figures to be eased back into his on-field participation, at least initially. In any case, assuming no setbacks, Richardson is set to reclaim his role as the Colts' starting quarterback this coming season, with veteran signal-caller Joe Flacco now on board to work as the team's top backup.

The Steelers agreed to terms on a contract with Allen on Monday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Allen lands in a quarterback room that just brought in new faces Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Currently, Wilson looks to be the favorite to start, though coach Mike Tomlin has stated that Fields will get opportunities to compete. Allen, meanwhile, looks firmly comfortable as the No. 3 option on the depth chart. He served as the backup to the Bills' Josh Allen in 2023.

Coach Sean Payton said Monday that Stidham isn't necessarily in the "driver's seat" but will compete for Denver's starting QB job, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

The broader context of the conversation involved Payton telling reporters that trading up from pick No. 12 to select a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft was a "realistic" option for the Broncos. He mentioned the Cardinals being in a good spot as owners of the No. 4 pick -- perhaps a nod to rumors that teams like the Broncos, Vikings and Raiders are interested in moving up for Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. With Stidham and Ben DiNucci being the only quarterbacks currently on their roster, the Broncos are sure to bring in more competition even if it isn't in the form of an early first-round pick. Other options could include veteran free agents like Ryan Tannehill and Carson Wentz or third-tier draft prospects like Bo Nix and Michael Penix. The 27-year-old Stidham has one season remaining on a two-year, $10 million contract, following a 2023 campaign in which he started two games and completed 40 of 66 passes for 496 yards (60.6 completion rate, 7.5 YPA), with two TDs, one INT, seven sacks and eight rushing yards.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Fields "will be given an opportunity to show his capabilities" even though Russell Wilson "has pole position" to be Pittsburgh's starting quarterback in 2024, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

It's still not quite clear if the Steelers' two new quarterbacks will compete for the starting job this spring/summer, as Tomlin's comments also could be interpreted as a suggestion that Wilson will be the No. 1 but without any assurances of staying in the spot if he struggles in practice (and eventually games). Reports shortly after Fields was traded suggested he'd be coming in as a clear backup, though it's probably worth noting that the QB-related reporting out of Pittsburgh this offseason has been rather unreliable. In any case, the team did well to acquire Wilson on a one-year, $1.21 million contract, later adding Fields in exchange for a sixth-round pick (that can become a fourth-rounder if he plays more than half the snaps in 2024). Neither QB is signed beyond the upcoming season, and the Steelers are unlikely to pick up the fifth-year option on Fields' rookie contract before the May 2 deadline.

Coach Brian Daboll isn't sure if Jones (knee) will be ready for Week 1 but told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Saturday that Jones will be "the guy" at quarterback once he's able to play.

Daboll made it clear Drew Lock was signed as a backup, though that may entail dominating first-team reps throughout spring practices and into training camp. There's a potential complication for both Jones and Lock in the form of the upcoming NFL Draft, with New York picking sixth overall and perhaps considering a quarterback. On the other hand, an early pick could mean significant help for Jones, as popular mock draft matches at No. 6 include LSU WR Malik Nabers and Notre Dame OT Joe Alt. There are a number of potential hurdles for Jones this upcoming season, starting with his ongoing rehab from Nov. 22 surgery on a torn ACL. Later in the season, future injury guarantees in his contract could end up impacting the Giants' decision on who to start at quarterback, as was the case for Denver and Russell Wilson in 2023.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson is in "pole position" to open the 2024 season as the Steelers' starting quarterback, though Justin Fields will "have the opportunity to compete" with the nine-time Pro Bowler for the No. 1 role, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. "We've been very transparent about the pecking order, at least to start," Tomlin said Sunday. "I just think that provides clarity for all parties involved. Russell is a veteran, man. He's got a proven process of readiness. He's been in this league a long time. He's just got a lot of experience in terms of what it takes to be the guy over the course of a 12-month calendar, and I just think that that's something that a younger guy like Justin could learn from."

Addressing the Steelers' overhauled quarterback room for the first time following the signing of Wilson and trade acquisition of Fields earlier this month, Tomlin's comments about the situation didn't deviate much from prior reports, which suggested that Pittsburgh was viewing Wilson as its top option on the depth chart. The fact that Tomlin said that Fields will get the chance to compete for the starting role is noteworthy, though it likely would take an injury or poor showing in the offseason program and training camp for Wilson to lose the gig. Though Wilson thus should head into OTAs with some security, he's still only under contract for 2024, and his standing on the depth chart could become shakier if Pittsburgh gets off to a poor start to the season and eventually shifts into evaluation mode while a playoff berth falls out of reach.

The Eagles signed Grier to a one-year deal Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 100th overall pick in the 2019 Draft by the Panthers, Grier is joining his sixth team since entering the NFL. He hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since his rookie season, when he started two contests for Carolina and completed 28 of 52 passes (53.8 percent) for 228 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions. In all likelihood, Grier will be a camp quarterback for the Eagles behind Jalen Hurts and newcomer Kenny Pickett.

Watson (shoulder) could begin light throwing as soon as Tuesday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Watson will have limitations this spring after underdoing surgery Nov. 21 to repair a displaced fracture in his right shoulder socket, but the Browns expect him to be ready for training camp in late July. He's been rehabbing in Los Angeles, with private QBs coach Quincy Avery and Browns TE David Njoku flying out Monday to join him. While a fully guaranteed contract ensures Watson will get another chance as the starting QB after two disappointing seasons in Cleveland, the team has much better depth at his position for 2024 after signing Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley earlier in March.

The 49ers and Dobbs agreed to a contract Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

In 13 games (12 starts) between the Cardinals and Vikings this past season, Dobbs completed 262 of 417 (62.8 percent) of his passes for 2,464 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also was viable as a runner, averaging 5.5 yards on his 77 carries while scoring six TDs on the ground. Brock Purdy is the unquestioned starting quarterback for San Francisco, but Dobbs' recent on-field work should give him a leg up on the backup job ahead of holdover Brandon Allen.

Prescott restructured his contract over the weekend, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The Cowboys converted a $5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus and added two void years to free up $4 million in 2024 cap space. They can further reduce Prescott's present-year cap hit by either extending him or doing a similar restructure with the $29 million base salary for the final year of his contract. Dallas hasn't done much else through the first week of free agency, despite losing last year's starters at left tackle (Tyron Smith - Jets) and center (Tyler Biadasz - Commanders).