NFL Player News

The Steelers signed Wilson to a one-year contract Friday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.

Wilson was officially released by the Broncos on Wednesday with a post-June 1 designation, paving the way for the 35-year-old to ink a deal with Pittsburgh on Friday. With Mason Rudolph having signed on with the Titans, Wilson and 2022 first-rounder Kenny Pickett are currently the only two signal-callers on the Steelers' roster. The two are thus in line to compete for the team's starting job in the coming months, though at this stage, Wilson profiles as the favorite to land the assignment, per Mike DeFabo of the Athletic. Meanwhile, in the wake of the departures of Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson, the pass-catching duo of WR George Pickens and TE Pat Freiermuth, along with RB Jaylen Warren, are Pittsburgh's top returning pass-catching options.

Seahawks GM John Schneider said Thursday that Smith is "the guy" and fellow QB Sam Howell was brought in to be a backup, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

That's not exactly surprising given the gaps in both 2023 performance and 2024 compensation between the two quarterbacks, but it'll nonetheless be comforting to anyone counting on Smith to start this upcoming season. It'll be especially good news for Smith if this is Seattle's only big QB move during the offseason, as the team has been mentioned in connection with Justin Fields and various draft prospects. Drafting a QB is definitely still possible, but the trade for Howell is a pretty clear signal that Seattle isn't in on Fields. The team has mostly focused on smaller moves so far this offseason, including re-signing TE Noah Fant and restructuring WR Tyler Lockett's contract. The interior offensive line is a glaring weakness as the roster is currently constructed, but there are still plenty of options to upgrade via both free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft.

Seahawks GM John Schneider said Thursday that he wanted to re-sign Lock but wasn't able to because the Giants sold him on an opportunity to compete for a starting job, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Schneider revealed the interesting bit of information on The Wyman and Bob Show (710 Seattle Sports) shortly after trading for former Commanders QB Sam Howell. Reports suggest Lock signed with the Giants for backup money -- a one-year, $5 million contract, per ESPN -- but he may nonetheless have a chance to start due to Daniel Jones (knee) coming off a disappointing season in which he averaged a career-worst 5.7 yards per pass attempt before suffering an ACL tear. Both quarterbacks are 2019 picks entering their age-27 campaigns, and while Jones has a full guarantee for his $36 million in compensation this year, the only guarantees thereafter are for injuries. Even if Jones ends up starting for most of the season, it could turn into a 2023 Russell Wilson situation where he's benched to avoid those injury guarantees and ensure the team can move on from him in the offseason. The various factors, including Jones' rehab from knee surgery, give Lock a good chance to play at some point this season, though things would get more complicated if the Giants bring in a rookie QB on Day 1 or 2 of the upcoming NFL Draft.

Herbert (finger) has lost the majority of his offensive playmakers with the departures of WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, RB Austin Ekeler and TE Gerald Everett this offseason, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

That quartet accounted for 57 percent of Herbert's completions, pass yards and touchdowns last season. Still remaining on the roster are WRs Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston, the latter of whom is likely to be tasked up considerably in 2024. Coach Jim Harbaugh also is known for his desire to run the ball effectively, though Gus Edwards and Isaiah Spiller are an underwhelming duo atop the RB depth chart. All told, Herbert's supporting cast has taken a significant hit this offseason, even after taking into account that the team could be in line to draft a wide receiver or tight end Brock Bowers with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Commanders are sending Howell, a fourth-round draft pick and a sixth-rounder to the Seahawks in exchange for third and fifth-round draft choices, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With Howell no longer in the mix, Washington figures to use the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft on a new franchise QB. Meanwhile, Howell, who started all 17 of the Commanders' regular-season games in 2023, fills the void created by Drew Lock's departure in free agency and gives the Seahawks an alternative to incumbent No. 1 signal-caller Geno Smith.

The Ravens re-signed Johnson to a one-year contract Thursday.

Johnson is set to return as Lamar Jackson's backup, with second-year developmental option Malik Cunningham also waiting in the wings. The veteran, who is entering his age-38 season, spent the 2023 campaign as an emergency option behind Jackson and Tyler Huntley, the latter who is now a free agent.

Lawrence will enter the 2024 season without the presence of Calvin Ridley, who is set to sign a four-year, $92 million contract with the Titans, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.

Lawrence suited up for one less game last season after playing all 17 in 2022, but despite Ridley's presence atop the depth chart, he took a step back in terms of passing yards (4,016 vs. 4,113), touchdowns (21 vs. 25), and increased his interception total (14 vs. eight). That said, the loss of Ridley to free agency still represents a knock to Lawrence's prospects for 2024, especially with Zay Jones also being a speculated cap casualty. The addition of Gabe Davis from Buffalo, who joins Christian Kirk (groin), does something to mitigate those concerns, and the Jaguars still have plenty of time to make further moves in free agency or April's draft.

The Falcons are trading Ridder to Arizona in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Ridder gets a chance to start fresh after Atlanta opted to ink Kirk Cousins (Achilles) to a massive four-year contract, and he becomes the favorite to back up Kyler Murray for the Cardinals. The team also has 2023 fifth-round pick Clayton Tune available, and further competition could be added this offseason, but Ridder boasts enough experience to step up in emergency circumstances. Across 15 appearances last season, he completed 249 of 388 passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Falcons are expected to trade Ridder following the signing of Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Atlanta reportedly doesn't have an immediate deal in place, but Ridder should draw some interest from teams in the league willing to part with later draft picks. The 2022 third-round pick boasts a unique amount of starting experience, as he's now heading into just his age-25 season, potentially making him an upgrade as a No. 2 option for some quarterback rooms in the NFL. If Ridder is indeed traded, it could throw a wrench in the assumption that Atlanta will release Taylor Heinicke in a cap-savings move.

The Saints are signing Peterman to a contract Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Peterman played four snaps as the Bears' third-string quarterback last season but didn't attempt a pass. Now, he'll get an opportunity to compete for a similar spot, if not potentially the top backup role, behind Derek Carr in New Orleans. Peterman previously backed up Carr during their time together with the Raiders.