NFL Player News

Ridder figures to be relegated to a backup role with the Falcons set to sign Kirk Cousins, per the team's official website.

The 2022 third-round pick has won eight of his 17 NFL starts while throwing 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. He's completed 64.0 percent of his passes for 7.0 YPA, but with a higher-than-average sack rate (7.4 percent) and nine lost fumbles. Overall, Ridder has the same number of turnovers (19) as combined passing and rushing TDs in the NFL. The Falcons likely will release Taylor Heinicke after their agreement with Cousins becomes official.

Rudolph has free-agent interest from multiple teams, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

The Steelers presumably aren't one of those teams, considering they recently reached an agreement with QB Russell Wilson and have 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett under contract for at least two more years. Rudolph stepped in for an injured Pickett at the end of 2023 and continued to start once Pickett was healthy, leading Pittsburgh to three straight wins at the end of the regular season before a loss at Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs. The 2018 third-round pick went 8-4-1 as a starter in his six years with the Steelers, completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 6.7 YPA with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions (on 458 career pass attempts). Rudolph won't add much on the ground (93 career rushing yards, zero TDs), but his career passing numbers are at least toward the high end of what's expected for a backup quarterback, with other positives including a low sack rate (4.6 percent) and just one lost fumble.

Darnold agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Darnold spent the 2023 campaign as Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco, but he now will join his former teammate and current Vikings quarterback coach Josh McCown in Minnesota. With Kirk Cousins en route to Atlanta, Darnold becomes the de facto No. 1 option under center with his new team. Darnold completed 16 of 26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown while adding another 19 yards and a trip to the end zone on seven carries in his only start for the 49ers last season. It remains to be seen if Minnesota will draft or bring in competition for Darnold, as the journeyman signal-caller could be viewed either as a bridge to a younger quarterback or potential option for the future.

Taylor has agreed on terms on a two-year, $18 million deal with the Jets, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Taylor is staying in New York but will sport a different jersey. The journeyman signal-caller accumulated 1,399 yards and six touchdowns through the air across 14 games (five starts) during his two-year stint with the Giants. With 58 career starts under his belt, he's a safe veteran choice to back up Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), as the Jets were determined to improve in that department following the 2023 season.

Brissett has agreed to terms on a one-year, $8 million contract with New England, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

It remains to be seen what the Patriots choose to do with their No. 3 selection in this year's draft, but Brissett is now the No. 1 option under center with New England one day removed from dealing Mac Jones to the Jaguars. The journeyman quarterback started his career with the Pats in 2016 and actually started two games in place of a suspended Tom Brady. He then spent his next four seasons with the Colts, both as a backup and starter before subsequently spending one year each with the Dolphins, Browns and Commanders. If the team does decide to draft a quarterback, Brissett still could start while the team develops someone behind him or use him as a top-tier backup option.

Minshew has agreed to a two-year deal with the Raiders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Per Pelissero, Minshew's deal is for $25 million and includes $15 million fully guaranteed. Given those reported numbers, Minshew should have a chance to compete with Aidan O'Connell for the Raiders' starting QB job. Minshew -- who turns 28 in May -- recorded 3,305 passing yards to go along with 15 TDs and nine picks in 17 regular-season games (13 starts) with the Colts in 2023. With Minshew on the way out, 2023 first-rounder Anthony Richardson, who is bouncing back from a shoulder injury, is poised to reclaim Indy's starting signal-caller assignment this coming season.

Cousins (Achilles) is signing a four-year contract with the Falcons, according to agent Mike McCartney at Vayner Sports.

The Falcons were rumored to represent Minnesota's strongest competition for the 35-year-old QB and apparently won the bidding within the first three hours of the free-agent negotiating period. Cousins can't sign a contract until Wednesday afternoon, and it might take a bit longer than that to become official given the possible complication of his rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon. The injury is less of a concern for a pocket passer than for other NFL players, but it may nonetheless impact Cousins' participation in offseason practices under new Falcons coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The signing is excellent news for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, and it also bodes well for RB Bijan Robinson's continued involvement as a receiver. Cousins won't necessarily have the deepest group of pass catchers in Atlanta, but he'll have high-end talent and a strong offensive line. The Vikings, meanwhile, are left without a starting QB and figure to take a look at both veteran and rookie options.

The 49ers are set to re-sign Allen as a backup quarterback, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Allen did not appear in a game for the 49ers last season, as he operated only as the team's emergency third quarterback, but he could step up to a more important role behind Brock Purdy for the 2024 campaign if Sam Darnold isn't re-signed. Now heading into his age-32 season, Allen is also capable of contributing in a mentorship role.

Pickett won't necessarily have the opportunity to compete with newly signed Russell Wilson for a starting job, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson may be past his prime but nonetheless became a strong favorite for the Week 1 start when his decision to sign with the Steelers was announced Sunday night. GM Omar Khan said a week earlier that he had "full faith" in Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick (20th overall) with more regular-season wins (14) than TD passes (13). A good defense and strong record in one-score games has allowed the Steelers to stick in the playoff hunt the past two years, but Wilson should give the offense some actual upside in what likely will be a run-first system under new coordinator Arthur Smith. Meanwhile, QB Mason Rudolph now seems likely to sign with a new team, leaving Wilson and Pickett as the experienced QBs in Pittsburgh.

Cousins (Achilles) is expected to begin negotiating with the Falcons when the legal tampering period begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Rumors have connected the two parties for the past couple weeks, and it sounds like the Falcons may be willing to outbid the Vikings for Cousins' services. It's also possible the Vikings up their offer in the presence of a real threat, and Cousins may even give the team an opportunity to match any offer he receives. Whatever the case, Atlanta needs to be taken seriously as a contender for Cousins' services. His presence under center would be a huge fantasy boost for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, with RB Bijan Robinson possibly benefiting quite a bit as well.