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The Carolina Panthers announced Wednesday they signed veteran pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney.Terms were not announced, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the deal is for two years and $20 million. It reportedly also includes $4 million in incentives.Clowney - a South Carolina native - tied a career high with 9.5 sacks last season and was a key member of the Baltimore Ravens' top-ranked defense. Baltimore was interested in bringing him back in 2024. The 31-year-old also recently visited the New York Jets, who have been looking to add to their pass-rushing rotation after losing Bryce Huff to free agency."He spoke with Ravens. He also liked his visit with (the) Jets. Both places were fits, but the Panthers pursued the hardest. This is a special day for us," Clowney's wife, Najah, told Josina Anderson of CBS Sports.By signing Clowney, the Panthers addressed a major need this year. Carolina, which recently traded star pass-rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants, also tried to sign defensive end Chase Young before he joined the New Orleans Saints.None of the Panthers' three sack leaders in 2023 - Burns, Frankie Luvu, and Yetur Gross-Matos - will be back with the team in 2024. In addition to Clowney, Carolina has also signed edge rushers K'Lavon Chaisson and D.J. Wonnum.The Panthers will be the sixth team of Clowney's career. The former first overall pick has also had stints with the Houston Texans (2014-18), Seattle Seahawks (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020), and Cleveland Browns (2021-22).Clowney, who's a three-time Pro Bowler, has amassed 52.5 sacks in 126 appearances since entering the NFL. The South Carolina product has battled several injuries throughout his career but did manage to play all 17 games for Baltimore in 2023.An established defender against the run, Clowney has never topped double-digit sacks in a single season. However, he's now posted at least nine sacks in two of the last three campaigns.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ja'Marr Chase became eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but the Cincinnati Bengals have yet to discuss a new deal with the star wide receiver."I can't say for sure where any of it will go," Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said Wednesday, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "But we certainly are going to study up on it and see what we can figure out to try to get the best result we can for the club one way or another."Chase likely wants to wait until Justin Jefferson signs an extension with the Minnesota Vikings before he begins negotiations, notes Conway.The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the NFL's best wideouts since being drafted fifth overall in 2021. Chase has averaged 101 catches for 1,404 yards and 11 touchdowns per 17 games played. He was named 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year and has earned a Pro Bowl nod in each of his NFL seasons.Jefferson - Chase's teammate at LSU and a first-round pick in 2020 - is expected to reset the wide receiver market with his eventual extension. Since 2021, Jefferson ranks second behind only Tyreek Hill with 4,499 receiving yards. Chase places seventh on that list with 3,717.Chase isn't the only star Bengals receiver looking to cash in, though. Tee Higgins - a two-time 1,000-yard wideout - recently requested a trade after Cincinnati used the franchise tag to keep him off the open market at the end of his rookie contract."The plan is to certainly get through this year," Blackburn said of Higgins' contract situation, according to Conway. "Our job is to get to these next phases, start looking at the whole overall roster, and see how we can fit everything together."In September, the Bengals rewarded quarterback Joe Burrow with a five-year extension worth a record $275 million. Cincinnati already parted ways with Joe Mixon this offseason, trading its longtime running back to the Houston Texans.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York is aware a potential record-breaking contract extension for Brock Purdy is on the horizon."It's what the market is," York said at the NFL owners meetings, according to Cam Inman of The Mercury News. "Brock is going to ask for something that no one has ever asked for before."Purdy signed a three-year, $3.7-million rookie deal when he was selected with the last pick in the 2022 draft. He's eligible for a contract extension next offseason and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.The 24-year-old has a $1.04-million cap hit in 2024, ranking 67th among signal-callers, according to Spotrac, He's the third-highest-paid quarterback on the 49ers this season and ranks behind players such as Aidan O'Connell, Sam Ehlinger, and Nathan Peterman.Purdy has excelled since taking over the starting job in 2022. He has a 17-4 record in 21 contests, helping lead the 49ers to the conference championship in 2022 and the Super Bowl last campaign. Out of 25 signal-callers who have taken at least 700 snaps over the last two years, Purdy ranks first in EPA/play and success rate.The 49ers have dished out a record-breaking quarterback contract in the past, making Jimmy Garoppolo the highest-paid player at the position in 2018 with a five-year, $137.5-million deal."To me, the quarterback is the most important position not just in football, but all of sports, and those guys should be paid a lot of money," York said.He added: "When we signed Jimmy several years ago, it was the largest deal in the history of the NFL, for three minutes," York said. "But Jimmy was at ($27.5 million). That's what the market is, and you have to accept the reality of the world."Purdy has 5,645 passing yards with 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in his career.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is considering taking over offensive play-calling duties next season."It's something I'm looking into," Daboll said at the NFL owners meetings, according to team writer Michael Eisen. "I think there's 20 head coaches at this point in time that call plays in the league. ... There might (even) be a little bit more."I've been doing a bunch of research, but no decision has been made. I'm still going through that process, thinking about what we need to do."Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been the primary play-caller since Daboll hired him in 2022. In February, he was named assistant head coach and received head coaching interviews from the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans this offseason.Kafka flourished in his first season as New York's offensive coordinator. The Giants went 9-7-1 in 2022 en route to a spot in the divisional round after upsetting the Minnesota Vikings on Wild-Card Weekend. Kafka's offense exceeded expectations, ranking ninth in EPA/play, with quarterback Daniel Jones having a career year.However, New York's offense took a step back last season, ranking 31st in offensive success rate and struggling to move the ball. Injuries played a factor, with three signal-callers attempting at least 160 passes.Daboll most recently called plays for the Buffalo Bills from 2018-2021. He helped develop star quarterback Josh Allen and was a key component of one of the league's best offenses in his final year."Certainly," Daboll responded when asked if he misses calling plays. "I did it for a long time. There's a lot of things that go into it. ... I take my time and do what I think is best for the team."Daboll is 15-18-1 in two seasons as New York's head coach.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams are signing former Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, his agents confirmed to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The Rams were one of the few teams White visited before his new agreement. He was also reportedly hosted by the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders.The Bills released White earlier this offseason after seven seasons.White will be working his way back from the torn Achilles he suffered in October, which ended his 2023 campaign after just four games.A two-time Pro Bowler, White was once one of the game's most productive cornerbacks but has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. He's played only 10 games since 2022 after a torn ACL ended his 2021 campaign and delayed his 2022 on-field debut.White has a connection to the Rams: Their team doctor Neal ElAttrache repaired his torn Achilles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 29-year-old has recorded 18 career interceptions, including a league-high six in 2019.He's the second significant addition the Rams have made at cornerback this offseason following their signing of Darious Williams earlier in free agency.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys have yet to offer quarterback Dak Prescott a contract extension, and there's no indication a deal is coming, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.There's a mutual understanding from both sides, Rapoport adds.Prescott is set to enter the final season of a four-year, $160-million extension he signed in 2021. The contract includes a no-trade or tag clause, and if the two sides don't agree on a deal, he'll become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.The 30-year-old is scheduled to have a $55.4-million cap hit in 2024. His enormous cap hit is a big reason why the Cowboys have been unable to spend money in free agency, as the club currently ranks 29th in 2024 cap space.Dallas and Prescott were reportedly expected to negotiate a new deal this offseason. However, owner Jerry Jones said in early March that a fresh contract wasn't something the team needed to get done."We don't need to (extend Prescott), but we can if everybody wants to solve it," Jones said at the NFL combine, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. "If you can't, what we have in place works."Prescott is coming off a tremendous 2023 regular season, throwing for 4,516 yards and a league-leading 36 touchdowns. His efficiency numbers were off the charts, ranking second in success rate and EPA/play out of 30 qualified quarterbacks, according to Ben Baldwin's database.However, Prescott's inability to lead Dallas far in the playoffs struck again last campaign. He threw two crucial interceptions in the club's wild-card round defeat to the Green Bay Packers and now owns a 2-5 record in the postseason."I think there are a handful or more of quarterbacks playing who haven't won a Super Bowl that will win a Super Bowl. I think Dak is one of them. I'm firm there," Jones said Sunday, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.Prescott has a 73-41 record in 114 starts as the Cowboys starting quarterback.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jim Harbaugh may be the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, but that doesn't mean he's been living up in the Hollywood Hills.The Chargers head coach revealed that he's been living in a RV since being hired by the franchise earlier this year."It's been great," Harbaugh said to MLive's Kyle Meinke. "Just being myself. I always wanted to do that. It worked out great. I'm 100 feet from (offensive coordinator) Greg Roman, who has a really, really good RV."While Harbaugh says his time living in an RV has been "awesome," he's looking forward to reuniting with his family in a California home soon."Now that's coming to an end - happily coming to an end - because my family is coming to California," Harbaugh added. "They're all here on this trip, and we're all going to California together. We'll be moving into our rental house, and that's even better."Harbaugh took the NFL job after his nine-season run at Michigan culminated in a College Football Playoff National Championship.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with former Atlanta Falcons returner Cordarrelle Patterson on a two-year contract, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The two-year deal is worth $6 million, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.The signing comes on the heels of the NFL approving a new kickoff format for 2024, which was implemented to increase the number of returns.Patterson is one of the most dangerous return men of all time with an NFL-record nine kickoff return touchdowns over his career. He's recorded over 1,000 return yards on kickoffs in three seasons and twice led the league in kickoff return yardage. Additionally, he's scored at least one return touchdown in seven of his 11 NFL seasons.The 33-year-old also brings versatility to the Steelers' offense. After initially entering the NFL as a wide receiver, he's predominantly played running back over his last three seasons with the Falcons.He'll reunite with former Falcons coach Arthur Smith, who's now the Steelers' offensive coordinator.Patterson recorded 1,494 rushing yards across three campaigns in Atlanta and also added 82 receptions for 708 yards.A first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013, Patterson has also notched four Pro Bowl invites and four All-Pro selections as a returner.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

HBO's in-season version of "Hard Knocks" is getting a new format.The show will now focus on a division rather than one team, the NFL's chief media and business officer Brian Rolapp said, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.The NFL expects to decide which division HBO will focus on in about a month, according to Art Stapleton of USA Today.League proponents wanted the change to help lighten the load on one specific team, help producers with storytelling, and ease competitive concerns, per Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal.The 2024 campaign will be the fourth year HBO has done an in-season edition. The Indianapolis Colts (2021), Arizona Cardinals (2022), and Miami Dolphins (2023) were previously featured. The training camp edition has aired since 2001.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is preparing to deploy newly acquired wide receiver Calvin Ridley the same way the Cincinnati Bengals utilize star wideout Ja'Marr Chase."You're looking at a very similar role that Ja'Marr played in terms of his ability to move, move around the formation, use him in motion," Callahan told Kevin Clark of ESPN. "(Ridley has) got such a unique skill set. He's got great quickness, he's got great speed."Callahan added: "I'm excited about that, finding where he fits. But if you looked at how we used Ja'Marr, there's gonna be some similarities in how we use Calvin."Callahan was Chase's offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. The 24-year-old has been one of the NFL's most productive pass-catchers over the last three seasons, totaling 268 catches for 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 career games.Ridley led the Jacksonville Jaguars in receiving yards (1,016) and touchdowns (eight) last year. He'll be tasked with helping a Titans air attack that ranked 29th in passing yards per game in 2023.Ridley will be paired with quarterback Will Levis, who's set to enter his first season as the full-time starter after taking over the reins in Week 8 last year. Callahan expressed the importance of them getting on the same page."The time on task is important ... There's a million different things that go into the nuance of the routes and what the quarterback sees to what the receiver sees," he said. "The more conversations you have like that in the offseason, the more chances are that it just starts to happen when you play."Callahan is taking over for Mike Vrabel after the Titans went 6-11 last season. The 39-year-old Callahan helped produce two top-10 scoring offenses in five years as the Bengals' offensive coordinator.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans are signing cornerback L'Jarius Sneed to a four-year, $76.4-million deal that includes $55 million guaranteed and a $20-million signing bonus, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Sneed was recently traded to Tennessee after being franchise tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs. The deal matches what Sneed was expected to sign shortly after being dealt to the Titans, per Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz.Sneed's $19.1-million average ranks sixth at his position, trailing Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward, Marshon Lattimore, Marlon Humphrey, and Trevon Diggs, according to Spotrac.However, Sneed's guarantees rank fourth among corners, coming in behind Ward, Humphrey, and Lattimore, per Spotrac.The 27-year-old totaled 17 total tackles, three pass deflections, and a forced fumble during the Chiefs' Super Bowl-winning playoff run in 2023.Sneed has appeared in 57 games, making 54 starts, since being selected in the fourth round of the 2020 draft out of Louisiana Tech. He owns 303 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, 40 pass deflections, and four forced fumbles.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL approved several minor rule changes in addition to the radical new kickoff format on Tuesday, including moving the trade deadline back one week, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The cutoff to make trades will now come on the Tuesday following Week 9 games. The deadline for the 2024 season will be Nov. 5.Teams can now promote practice-squad passers to the active roster for games to fill the emergency third-quarterback role as often as needed. Previously, the emergency signal-caller couldn't be a practice-squad elevation.Clubs will now also have an unlimited number of designated for return transactions in the postseason.In addition to these updates, there'll now be a replay review anytime there's objective evidence that the game clock expired before a team snapped the ball. This previously wasn't reviewable in any capacity.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL owners voted to approve a new kickoff format Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The format will be implemented for the 2024 campaign and revisited next offseason.It's inspired by the setup that the XFL used before it merged with the USFL.

The New Orleans Saints are preparing for the possibility that offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk won't be medically able to play in 2024 because of knee issues, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Head coach Dennis Allen said Ramczyk's knee could be a concern entering the season because it isn't where they hoped after surgery, according to New Orleans Football Network's Nick Underhill.Ramczyk played in 12 games a year ago before finishing the season on injured reserve. The 29-year-old is dealing with a cartilage defect in his knee.The 6-foot-6, 314-pounder was one of the league's most consistent tackles from 2018-20, earning a first-team All-Pro berth in 2019 as well as two second-team All-Pro nods. However, he's missed 13 games over the last three seasons.Ramczyk has spent his entire career with the Saints after being selected with the No. 32 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank insists that his team didn't break league rules while pursuing quarterback Kirk Cousins during free agency.The NFL is investigating whether or not the Falcons violated league rules when they signed Cousins earlier this month. It's also probing the Philadelphia Eagles' agreement with Saquon Barkley for potential tampering."I know there was no tampering from our standpoint," Blank said, according to USA Today's Jarrett Bell. "Whatever conversation there was was very innocent. We'll see. Whatever the league decides, we'll deal with it."The examination comes after Cousins, who's rehabbing a torn Achilles that ended his 2023 campaign, revealed that he spoke with the team's trainer and head of public relations a day before the start of free agency. NFL rules allow agents to meet with teams during the two-day negotiation window, but players are not eligible to speak to team officials during what's also known as the legal tampering period.Cousins was one of the most coveted free agents before the Falcons handed him a four-year, $180-million deal, which includes $100 million in guaranteed money. The four-time Pro Bowler spent the previous six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings."There was nothing intentional," Blank said. "Minnesota understands that. The player understands that."The Falcons have reshaped their roster ahead of their first season under head coach Raheem Morris. Former starting quarterback Desmond Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason, so Cousins is expected to lead an offense that features young starters such as Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite granting the quarterback permission to seek a trade, the New York Jets aren't ruling out bringing back Zach Wilson."If we don't trade him, we're going to keep him," Jets owner Woody Johnson told reporters Monday, including ESPN's Rich Cimini.Johnson also described Wilson as a "valuable asset," contrasting the owner's February comments when he said New York needed "a backup quarterback. We didn't have one last year." However, Johnson appeared to walk back those remarks Monday, saying it wasn't fair to blame one person for the team's offensive struggles in 2023.Although Johnson said New York could keep Wilson on the roster, he acknowledged that the 2021 second overall pick might benefit from a fresh start with a new team."He needs to be in a place where he can observe for a while. He's got the skill. He can do everything. There's a reason we drafted him No. 2 overall, and I have confidence that he'll get there at some point," Johnson said.Wilson hasn't gotten much downtime to watch and learn in his first three NFL seasons. The Jets elevated Wilson into the starting role during his 2021 rookie campaign, and the signal-caller compiled 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He was also sacked 44 times.The former BYU passer recorded 2,271 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions with a 60.1% completion rate in 2023 after starter Aaron Rodgers sustained a torn Achilles just four snaps into the campaign's first game. New York benched Wilson for the season's final two contests.Jets general manager Joe Douglas said Monday that while the team has discussed trading Wilson, "nothing is close" to being done.New York is optimistic about Rodgers' progress from his season-ending injury. The club also signed Tyrod Taylor in free agency to upgrade the backup quarterback position.Wilson will earn $5.45 million guaranteed in the final year of his rookie deal in 2024 and is set to account for an $11.1-million cap hit, according to Over the Cap.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants co-owner John Mara is giving the team the go-ahead to draft a signal-caller in the first round."If they fall in love with a quarterback and believe that it's worth pick No. 6 or moving up, I certainly would support that," Mara told reporters Monday, including ESPN's Jordan Raanan.Mara added that the Giants' front office told him this year's draft class is the "most talented group (of quarterbacks) to come out in years.""They've gone to some of the pro day, we've had some of those guys in. I don't think they're even close to making a final determination yet as to which way we're going to go on that," Mara said.New York holds the No. 6 overall selection in a draft headlined by several talented passers, including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy, among others.However, Mara said he's still confident in quarterback Daniel Jones, who's recovering from a torn ACL that ended his 2023 campaign early. Jones signed a four-year, $160-million extension in the previous offseason before posting just two touchdowns and six interceptions in six games last campaign. Head coach Brian Daboll recently confirmed that the former first-round pick will remain the starter to begin next season if he's healthy.New York also added Drew Lock to the QB room for insurance behind Jones.Mara said he doesn't envision a problem with Jones competing against a rookie for the starting role ahead of the 2024 campaign."Why not let them both compete? Let them both compete and let the better man win," the owner added.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said Monday that his team hasn't engaged in trade discussions involving Brandon Aiyuk and is "actively talking" with the star receiver about an extension."There are a number of different directions it can go," Lynch said, according to David Lombardi and Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "But we appreciate the heck out of Brandon and who he is as a player. We want him to be a part of the Niners, so we're going to work towards making that a reality."Aiyuk has been the subject of trade rumors ever since his girlfriend and friend both posted on social media about a potential exit from San Francisco shortly after the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.The wideout fueled speculation further last week when he posted on X about Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that his team made an offer to Odell Beckham Jr. after the receiver visited Thursday."Things went great with him," McDaniel said, according to the Miami Herald's Daniel Oyefusi. "We did make him an offer, and business takes time, especially with players such as Odell, who's had a phenomenal career, still has really good football in front of him, and has options. So, I think those conversations will be ongoing. We'll see where they go."Beckham spent the 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens but struggled to return to his Pro Bowl form, finishing with 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns.The 31-year-old wideout missed all of the 2022 campaign after tearing his ACL while playing for the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.While Miami boasts one of the NFL's best receiver duos in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the club lacks a legitimate third pass-catching option after Cedrick Wilson Jr. signed with the New Orleans Saints. Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft are the Dolphins' other receivers.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL competition committee has banned the hip-drop tackle, committee chairman Rich McKay announced Monday.It was a unanimous vote to outlaw the technique, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The penalty for a hip-drop tackle will be a loss of 15 yards and an automatic first down.

J.J. McCarthy is among the fastest-rising NFL draft prospects, and Jim Harbaugh continues to fuel his former quarterback's hype every chance he gets."I think he plays quarterback the best of any quarterback in the draft," said Harbaugh, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim. "He's incredible. So, big market, small market. Cold weather, hot weather, it won't matter."Harbaugh, who won the national championship with McCarthy before leaving to take over the Los Angeles Chargers, predicted in early February that the 21-year-old would be the first quarterback selected April 25.While it appears all but certain that USC passer Caleb Williams will go first overall to the Chicago Bears, McCarthy has gone from a fringe first-round prospect to a potential top-10 selection and a legitimate challenger to the next-best quarterback prospects in North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels.Harbaugh said he heard great things about McCarthy's pro day and team interviews from other NFL decision-makers."That was the best throwing day I've ever seen," Harbaugh said. "Like I predicted, once they were around him, I was hearing the stories about how he is on the board, how he is on the field, the little things, the intangibles. I mean, it was absolutely no surprise whatsoever. But yeah, there was raving, and it was great to hear and incredible to hear."McCarthy doesn't have the production of the other top signal-callers - 72.3% completion rate for 2,991 passing yards and 22 touchdowns against four interceptions in 2023 - in part due to Michigan's run-heavy scheme.However, the Wolverines quarterback - who went No. 4 overall to the Minnesota Vikings after a trade-up in theScore's latest mock draft - boasts the third-best winning percentage by a quarterback in college football history (27-1 record).Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sean Payton says there's a "realistic" possibility that the Denver Broncos could trade up to select a quarterback in April's draft, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport."It's good to be (Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort) right now," Payton added.Denver currently owns the No. 12 pick.The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots are all expected to select signal-callers if they retain picks Nos. 1 through 3, respectively, when the draft kicks off April 25. The Cardinals, who have Kyler Murray, own the fourth overall selection.Denver would likely need to trade up to pick one of Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or J.J. McCarthy. Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. could also be in play for the Broncos in the first round.Denver is looking for a new passer after cutting Russell Wilson earlier this offseason. Wilson started the Broncos' first 15 games last year but was benched for Jarrett Stidham to close out the campaign.Stidham went 1-1 while throwing for 496 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and an interception on 60.6% passing in his two starts. That was enough for him to earn the right to compete for the starting job."He is going to compete for that position," Payton said, according to NFL Network's James Palmer. "I know he's anxious and excited to do that, and I'm sure there will be other candidates that will be competing with him."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Stane Steichen provided a positive update Monday on quarterback Anthony Richardson's rehabilitation from shoulder injury."I think he'll be good to go for spring practice," said Steichen, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder. "Obviously, we've got to limit it and monitor it and don't go overboard, but I can't be more excited to get him back going again. His limited sample size that he had in those first five weeks were impressive. I mean, he made some plays that I've never seen guys make."The Colts will hold a voluntary minicamp on April 24-26. The club's OTA workouts are scheduled from May 23-June 8, with a mandatory minicamp set for June 13-15.Richardson started throwing again in mid-February after suffering a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder during the Colts' Week 5 win over the Tennessee Titans. Though it was possible to return from the injury without surgery, he underwent a procedure Oct. 24 with an eye on his long-term future.

Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed reports on Sunday that Russell Wilson is in line to be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback in 2024."Russell is a veteran, man. He's got a proven process of readiness. He's been in this league a long time. He's capable of rallying troops, receivers, tight ends, running backs, et cetera," Tomlin said, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.He added, "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 (Fields) could learn from."The Steelers completely reworked their quarterback room this offseason. They signed Wilson to a one-year, $1.2-million deal and traded a conditional sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears for Fields.Pittsburgh then dealt Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving no signal-callers from last year's team on the roster.Fields and Wilson have eerily similar efficiency numbers over the last two seasons. Out of 24 quarterbacks who have taken at least 750 snaps since 2022, Wilson ranks 19th and Fields ranks 20th in EPA/play during that stretch, per Ben Baldwin's database.Tomlin commented on the importance of establishing a quarterback hierarchy heading into training camp."It provides clarity for all parties involved as they do some of the informal things that collectors do this time of year, whether it's coming together to work out and destinations and things of that nature," Tomlin said."Rest assured when it's time to compete, Justin (Fields) will be given an opportunity to compete, and we'll allow those guys to sort themselves out."The Bears selected Fields 11th overall in the 2021 draft. He went 10-28 in 38 starts, totaling 8,894 yards with 54 touchdowns and 41 turnovers.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is thrilled about what running back Saquon Barkley can bring to his team."I'm really excited about Saquon and the things that he can do," Sirianni told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. "You know he's such a dynamic football player. Both as a running back and also the things he can do as a pass-catcher. He's going to bring an element to our offense and to our team."Sirianni added, "As much as we see him, all the highlights that we see on the tape - from my understanding and all of our homework, he's a good leader and teammate as well."The Eagles signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75-million contract with $26 million guaranteed on the first day of free agency.General manager Howie Roseman has historically shied away from paying running backs. The largest deal he dished out to the position was LeSean McCoy in 2012 on a five-year, $45-million contract. Former Eagles head coach and general manager Chip Kelly gave DeMarco Murray a $42-million deal in 2015.Philadelphia's starting running back in 2023, D'Andre Swift, signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears, opening the door for a new starter. Kenneth Gainwell and Tyrion Davis-Price are the other running backs on the roster.Barkley totaled 1,242 yards on 288 touches last season, a step back from his stellar 2022 campaign where he racked up 1,650 yards and 10 touchdowns. The New York Giants' offense struggled as a whole in 2023, ranking 29th in yards per contest."How many times have I watched him on the opposite sideline and playing him two times this last year, three times the year before, and two times the year before?" Sirianni said.He added, "It's like, man, we don't have to play against that guy anymore, great, and he's on our team, even more perfect. That's exciting because we have seen him up close and personal, we just know how good of a football player he is."Barkley was drafted second overall in 2018. The two-time Pro Bowler has 7,311 total yards and 47 touchdowns in 74 career games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite losing multiple starters in free agency, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones believes his club can win a Super Bowl."We've got Dak (Prescott). We want to get it done. I think we have been in a situation where we can get it done with less," Jones said Sunday, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.He added, "Do you still have (CeeDee) Lamb out there? Do you still have that tight end threat? Do you still have some really good players on defense? That is really the gist of what we're about this year."The Cowboys lost multiple key contributors from last season, including Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Tony Pollard, Jonathan Hankins, and Neville Gallimore. Dallas' only free-agent addition is linebacker Eric Kendricks.Dallas' quiet offseason can be attributed to their lack of financial wiggle room. The Cowboys currently have $4.9 million in cap space, according to Spotrac, which ranks 29th in the league. Jones said he knew their 2024 cap situation would be down to a "gnat's ass," per Moore.Prescott carries a $55.4-million cap hit in 2024, which takes up 21.4% of the Cowboys' cap, according to Over The Cap. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.The 30-year-old had arguably his best season in 2023, totaling 4,516 passing yards and a league-leading 36 touchdowns. However, he threw two crucial interceptions in the Cowboys' wild-card round defeat to the Green Bay Packers."More (signings) doesn't necessarily beat Green Bay. ... There are other things," Jones said. "Maybe having it better strategically in different spots, but more doesn't necessarily beat them, either. We're going to have to do some things different because we've got some different faces."Dallas finished 12-5 in each of their last three seasons. The club hasn't made it past the divisional round since the 1995 campaign.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce says quarterback Aidan O'Connell will compete for the club's starting job in training camp."At the end of the day, listen, Aidan O'Connell played his ass off. He did a helluva job for us," Pierce told Steve Wyche of NFL Network."You're talking about a kid that has the mental toughness to play in the National Football League. Whatever happens and whatever we do, it has to go through Aidan O'Connell. Being honest with you because he's earned that right."The Raiders selected O'Connell in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. This past season, he took over the starting job after Jimmy Garoppolo was benched in Week 9. O'Connell went 5-5 in 10 starts, totaling 2,218 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.The Raiders' offense struggled under O'Connell, ranking 26th in offensive success rate from Weeks 9-18. The defense, however, showed promise: It was second in EPA/play during that stretch.Las Vegas signed quarterback Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract in free agency. He has 37 career starts, including 13 with the Indianapolis Colts last season. He went 7-6 and helped the team stay in playoff contention after rookie Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.After finishing the campaign 8-9, Las Vegas owns the No. 13 pick in the upcoming draft, so the team can either trade up for a quarterback or stay put and snag a signal-caller that remains on the board. But Pierce says he'll leave that decision to the team's general manager, Tom Telesco."He's done it for a long time. I got a lot of trust in him. I think he's seen it wherever he's been," Pierce said. "Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, becomes a GM with the Chargers, Philip Rivers, Justin Herbert. So he knows something about quarterbacks. So I'm going to let him figure it out."The Raiders hired Pierce on a full-time basis this offseason after he filled in as their interim head coach last campaign. He led Las Vegas to a 5-4 record after the team got off to a 3-5 start under Josh McDaniels.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo isn't ready to commit to drafting a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he knows that finding a new signal-caller is important."It's the priority right now," Mayo said at the Annual League Meeting, according to Coral Smith of NFL.com. "But with that being said, you have to really be in love with the guy to take him at No. 3. So really, all the options are still open for us."USC quarterback Caleb Williams, North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye, and LSU dual-threat Jayden Daniels are widely regarded as the draft's top quarterbacks. Williams is the odds-on favorite to be selected by the Chicago Bears with the first overall selection. The Washington Commanders are expected to draft a quarterback with the No. 2 pick.The Patriots traded former first-rounder Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick earlier this offseason. Jones started the team's first 11 contests in 2023 but was benched after New England dropped to 2-9 following a Week 12 loss.Bailey Zappe, a 2022 fourth-rounder, threw for 1,114 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions while starting the team's six remaining games. The team went 2-4 in his starts.New England reunited with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the opening days of free agency. Brissett played for the Patriots as a rookie in 2016, going 1-1. Mayo believes Brissett gives the team some flexibility with the No. 3 pick."He's a great leader. ... He could absolutely be our starter this year," Mayo said. "We'll have to see. Like I said, we're not dead set at taking a quarterback at number three, but we do feel good having a guy like Jacoby ready to go."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh is untroubled by the lack of attention New York has garnered this offseason."I think (general manager Joe Douglas) has done a really nice job adding some really cool pieces to the football team, but, yeah, quiet," Saleh said Sunday at the Annual League Meeting, according to Bobby Kownack of NFL.com. "Last year was a little loud. We welcome a little bit of quietness."Former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams, longtime Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith, and former San Francisco 49ers first-round defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw are among the most impactful additions the Jets have made this year.The team also brought in journeyman quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who started five games for the New York Giants last year, to be Aaron Rodgers' backup after allowing Zach Wilson to seek a trade.Rodgers, who played just four snaps before sustaining a torn Achilles, was the main source of the team's offseason hype last year. Saleh said he's "excited to attack this season and try to accomplish the things (the team was) supposed to accomplish a year ago.""Aaron, he's on a mission," the head coach said. "He's doing his rehab. ... He was ready to go last year, man. So I know he's getting ready. We speak to him often. I don't want to speak for him, but I am going to speak for him and say that he's really excited."The head coach also said younger players will benefit from developing under the tutelage of new veteran additions as the team looks to rebound from consecutive 7-10 finishes."All the young guys that were forced to play a year ago were really excited about the direction they're going," Saleh said. "(It helps) to bring in some veteran presence, to bring in some leadership, to bring in guys who know how to play the game - who have played the game at a very high level and who really have the capability of achieving and matching the standard which we're trying to create."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jordan Love believes the Green Bay Packers are primed to turn their surprising playoff run last season into a genuine title challenge in 2024."We're all very hungry for this upcoming year," Love said on "The Pivot Podcast" on Friday. "The confidence from top to bottom is there. The organization believes that it's the perfect time to have a chance to win a Super Bowl this year. And those conversations we had after the 49ers game were, man, work harder. Try and find ways to get better because next year, we're gonna do it."Green Bay appeared to be on course to miss out on the postseason after a 3-6 start to the campaign. But Love and the offense caught fire in the second half of the year, winning six of the team's last eight games to earn a wild-card spot.The Packers then took down the Dallas Cowboys in dominant fashion in the wild-card round. They had the eventual NFC champion San Francisco 49ers on the ropes in the divisional round before a last-minute touchdown drive by Brock Purdy and a second defeat-sealing interception from Love.In his first season as a starter, Love showcased All-Pro potential during the Packers' strong finish to 2023, completing 70.25% of his passes for 2,150 yards and 18 touchdowns against just one interception.Green Bay signaled its intent to challenge for a Super Bowl with big moves in free agency, signing running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.1. Kansas City Chiefs Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe reigning Super Bowl champions traded standout cornerback L'Jarius Sneed but managed to re-sign All-Pro lineman Chris Jones. Plus, Kansas City added Marquise Brown, who brings upside and speed to the Chiefs' offense while addressing a major need at wide receiver.2. San Francisco 49ers The defending NFC champs are having a quiet offseason. Most of San Fran's 2023 starters are returning next season, and the team's major change came in the defensive coordinator role after replacing Steve Wilks with Nick Sorensen. As long as Kyle Shanahan is calling the shots, the 49ers will continue to have one of the best offenses in the league.3. Detroit LionsDetroit attacked this offseason by looking to fix a pass defense that ranked 25th in dropback success rate in 2023. The Lions traded for Carlton Davis and signed Amik Robertson to fill holes in last season's struggling secondary. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader is one of the most underrated additions any team has made this offseason. He fills a massive hole in Detroit's interior defense.4. Baltimore RavensAs expected, Baltimore lost multiple starters to free agency. But the Ravens remain a well-rounded squad with plenty of star power. Quarterback Lamar Jackson will share the backfield with running back Derrick Henry, the club's main acquisition this year.5. Houston Texans Ryan Kang / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Texans tackled main needs and increased their potential on both sides of the ball by signing edge rusher Danielle Hunter and trading for running back Joe Mixon. After a surprising divisional-round appearance last season, Houston's future is bright with quarterback C.J. Stroud entering Year 2.6. Green Bay PackersThe Packers had 14 players record at least 1,400 offensive snaps last season, and 12 of them are set to return in 2024. Green Bay ranked fifth in EPA per play on offense in 2023, and another campaign with this core could make them a top-three unit. Adding Xavier McKinney should help shore up the back end of the team's defense.7. Buffalo Bills The Bills moved on from multiple veterans due to their salary-cap situation. However, Buffalo should remain a threat in the AFC as long as Josh Allen is around. The 27-year-old is the only player in NFL history to account for 40-plus touchdowns in four straight seasons. He'll have a new weapon this campaign in Curtis Samuel, who should be a great fit as he reunites with offensive coordinator Joe Brady.8. Philadelphia EaglesGeneral manager Howie Roseman saw his club lose six of its last seven games and decided he needed to make significant changes. The Eagles added key contributors Saquon Barkley, Bryce Huff, C.J. Gardner Johnson, and Devin White. Jason Kelce's and Fletcher Cox's retirements leave holes at center and defensive tackle, but Philly drafted Jalen Carter and Cam Jurgens in recent years for this situation. The Eagles project as a boom or bust team in 2024.9. Cincinnati BengalsThe Bengals still have to figure out what's next for Tee Higgins, who recently requested a trade after receiving the franchise tag. But with a healthy Joe Burrow in 2024, Cincy remains one of the NFL's toughest teams. The Bengals smartly added offensive tackle Trent Brown and running back Zack Moss to replace losses in free agency.10. Dallas Cowboys Perry Knotts / Getty Images Sport / GettyLinebacker Eric Kendricks is the Cowboys' only outside free-agent addition this offseason. Dallas has holes to fill all over the roster after players like Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, and Tony Pollard left. Still, the Cowboys are 36-15 over the last three seasons and have stars CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. Both will likely get new contracts this offseason. How Dallas deals with Dak Prescott's contract will be interesting over the following few months, as the quarterback is set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.11. Cleveland BrownsCleveland re-signed the right players, including edge rusher Za'Darius Smith. The Browns' trade for Jerry Jeudy also makes sense, but they probably shouldn't have given the receiver a three-year, $58-million extension after the move. With Deshaun Watson returning from injury, Cleveland and its premier defense's hopes rely on how the quarterback plays in his third season in town.12. Miami DolphinsWe know what Miami can do offensively. The main question is on the defense, which lost several starters, including lineman Christian Wilkins, cornerback Xavien Howard, and linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jerome Baker. As replacements, the Dolphins added linebacker Jordyn Brooks, cornerback Kendall Fuller, safety Jordan Poyer, and pass-rusher Shaq Barrett, among others. Miami also has a new defensive coordinator.13. Los Angeles RamsThe Rams' big moves this offseason included signing guard Jonah Jackson and retaining Kevin Dotson, who had a terrific year in 2023. Los Angeles ranked ninth in offensive success rate last season, and it'll hope that continues, as Aaron Donald's retirement leaves question marks on the defensive side.14. Pittsburgh SteelersNo other team revamped its quarterback room like the Steelers, who signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields. That's an upgrade over Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph. Is it enough for Pittsburgh to win in the playoffs after losing its last four postseason games since the 2017 season?15. Atlanta Falcons Jesse Grant / Getty Images Entertainment / GettyKirk Cousins, welcome to the Atlanta Falcons. If the 35-year-old can recover from his torn Achilles and return to his pre-injury 2023 play, the Falcons' offense could be one of the best in the league. Raheem Morris should bring stability to the defense, and Atlanta has a top-10 pick to help build this roster.16. Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay is basically running it back from last year after making the divisional round. The Bucs re-signed Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Lavonte David. They have a talented roster, but all eyes will be on Mayfield and if he can continue his 2023 play.17. Seattle SeahawksThe Seahawks are committed to Geno Smith as their starting quarterback next season. Although he took a step back from 2022, Seattle's offense still ranked 10th in success rate last year. The defensive side was their Achilles heel. Hopefully, new head coach Mike Macdonald can help turn this unit around.18. New York JetsNew York stayed patient early in free agency and still made big splashes, signing receiver Mike Williams and offensive tackle Tyron Smith as part of an O-line reconstruction. For a second straight year, the Jets look ready for Aaron Rodgers.19. Jacksonville JaguarsThe arrivals of defensive tackle Arik Armstead, receiver Gabe Davis, and center Mitch Morse, among others, filled important holes. That said, the Jaguars didn't plan on getting outbid by the Titans for free agent Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville's only 1,000-yard pass-catcher in 2023. This team needs more to make a deep playoff run with Trevor Lawrence under center.20. Indianapolis Colts Perry Knotts / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Colts prioritized re-signing key defenders and inking top receiver Michael Pittman to a multi-year deal early this offseason, and they nailed it. It'll be fascinating to see how this group helps Anthony Richardson develop after the quarterback missed most of his rookie season due to injury.21. Minnesota VikingsMinnesota is arguably the most interesting team over the next two months. The Vikings added another first-round pick in a trade with the Houston Texans and project to add another quarterback behind newly signed Sam Darnold. Who starts under center for this club in 2024 is still up in the air.22. Chicago BearsThe Bears traded Fields and are set to enter a new era for the franchise with whoever they select No. 1 as their new starting signal-caller. Chicago finished 5-3 in its last eight games and added players like D'Andre Swift and Keenan Allen. The top selection in the draft will enter a great situation and should help this team compete for an NFC North crown.23. New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans had a quiet offseason, as it again had to do a lot of cap maneuvering to stabilize its financial situation. The Saints' roster will look similar to a team that finished 9-8 last season and failed to win a weak NFC South. After restructuring Derek Carr's contract, he'll bring $50-plus million cap hits in 2025 and 2026.24. Los Angeles ChargersThe Chargers will look much different in 2024, with Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman on the sidelines. The biggest changes will be on offense after Los Angeles parted ways with veteran wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The team needs to land a top target in the draft to give Justin Herbert a capable group of pass-catchers.25. Tennessee Titans Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyHere come the Titans! Tennessee traded for Sneed and spent big on Ridley and center Lloyd Cushenberry. The club also added starters in running back Tony Pollard and corner Chidobe Awuzie. It's now up to unproven quarterback Will Levis and first-year head coach Brian Callahan to take this team to the next level.26. Las Vegas RaidersAntonio Pierce and Co. scored a major win by landing Wilkins. But the Raiders offense has major questions as they head into the draft with Aidan O'Connell and recently acquired Gardner Minshew as their top quarterbacks.27. Denver BroncosThe Broncos stole headlines this offseason, but not because of their acquisitions. They released Wilson and safety Justin Simmons and traded Jeudy. Denver's roster has a lot of holes, and with Jarrett Stidham atop the quarterback depth chart, it's hard to see Sean Payton's outfit competing in a stacked AFC anytime soon.28. New York GiantsThe Giants added star pass-rusher Brian Burns but lost vital 2023 contributors Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney. New York's defensive line is now one of the best in the league, while the rest of the roster leaves a lot to be desired. The Giants could potentially target a quarterback high in the draft.29. Arizona CardinalsKyler Murray played well for Arizona last season after returning from a torn ACL, totaling 2,043 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Cardinals have made it clear he's their franchise signal-caller moving forward, and the organization will hope he can elevate a below-average roster in 2024. This team is in transition in Year 2 of the Jonathan Gannon era.30. New England Patriots Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe rebuilding Patriots kicked off the Jerod Mayo era by returning multiple starters and trading Mac Jones to the Jaguars. Next is the draft, and New England is in a great position to select a top quarterback at No. 3.31. Washington CommandersIt's a new era in Washington. Dan Snyder and Ron Rivera are out, and the Commanders are basically starting from scratch. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters are tasked with changing the fortunes of a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since the 2005 season. Look for the Commanders to select their quarterback of the future with the No. 2 pick.32. Carolina PanthersAfter a disastrous rookie season for signal-caller Bryce Young, the Panthers have made it clear they want to bolster the situation around him. New head coach Dave Canales helped resurrect Mayfield's career, which should give Young an offensive mind he can rely on. The 2024 season will be all about Young's development.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn believes his team will likely select a signal-caller in the upcoming draft."I would say it'd be fair to envision we'd be taking a quarterback," Quinn told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network on Saturday. "To say where it'll be happening, I think that's a better question for (general manager) Adam (Peters)."Washington holds the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 draft. Jake Fromm and Marcus Mariota are the only quarterbacks on the Commanders' roster, with the latter signing a one-year deal with the team in free agency.The Commanders traded Sam Howell, their 2023 starter, to the Seattle Seahawks earlier in March. The 23-year-old went 4-13 in 17 starts last season, totaling 3,946 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and a league-leading 21 interceptions.USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the heavy favorite to go No. 1 to the Chicago Bears in the draft. After Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels are the next two signal-callers projected to go off the board."I still have a lot of work to do into that space," Quinn said when asked which quarterback Washington will select. "Unfortunately, (Peters) is way further ahead from going through it, but we really dug in hard on our own team and then the free agent process."He added: "We still have more visits, people to come in, it's been more time. So, I'd say we're getting closer, but to say we're there yet, not yet."Quinn also didn't rule out potentially trading down from No. 2."I would anticipate (Peters) fielding these calls as it goes through, and usually it's not necessarily later than Nos. 6 or 7, but those people who are usually in the top four or five, there's somebody that somebody has targeted, and I think it's mostly like, 'Well, I've got to take a shot!'"Washington has nine picks in the draft, including six in the top 100 selections.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets are eager to sign free-agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, a source told Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.Clowney visited the Jets earlier this month and has kept in contact with the organization, Schultz adds.The Carolina Panthers, who also hosted Clowney on a visit, and the Baltimore Ravens are also reportedly interested in signing him.Clowney spent the 2023 season in Baltimore, tying his career-high 9.5 sacks.The former first overall pick has recorded 52.5 sacks and 128 quarterback hits over his 10-year career.The Jets have been busy in free agency and recently added veteran offensive tackle Tyron Smith and wide receiver Mike Williams.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald shut down the idea of a quarterback battle in training camp."I don't," Macdonald said when asked if he expects a competition, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. "I've talked to Geno (Smith) about it. Very confident in Geno. Geno's going to be our starter."The Seahawks acquired former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell in a trade earlier in March, sparking conversation about a training camp competition.Howell was drafted in the fifth round in 2022. He went 5-13 in 18 starts for the Commanders over the last two seasons, totaling 4,115 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions."Sam knows he's going to be our backup, but Sam is a great young player, and he's got a really bright future that we believe in," Macdonald said.General manager John Schneider said after the Howell trade that Smith would remain the starter.Seattle restructured Smith's contract in February, creating $4.8 million in cap space for 2024. The 33-year-old is set to carry a $38.5-million cap hit in 2025 but his contract doesn't have any guaranteed money remaining after this season.Smith took a step back in 2023 after a tremendous 2022 campaign, but he still helped Seattle finish 10th in offensive success rate. He has 7,906 passing yards, 50 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions in two years as the Seahawks' starting signal-caller.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll isn't sure Daniel Jones will be ready for Week 1, but he confirmed the quarterback will be the starter once he's healthy.The Giants signed former second-round pick Drew Lock this offseason, and John Schneider - the general manager of Lock's former team, the Seattle Seahawks - said the NFC East club sold Lock on a chance to start.However, Daboll ruled that out."We're excited to have Drew, and he knows what his role is going to be," Daboll said, according to Coral Smith of NFL.com. "He's going to get a lot of reps this spring, he needs to learn our system, but again, excited to get Daniel back. When he gets back, he'll be the guy."A torn ACL ended a miserable 2023 campaign for Jones, who signed a four-year, $160-million extension last offseason. He threw just two touchdowns to six interceptions in six starts.The Giants also lost star running back Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency this offseason."I've got a tremendous amount of respect for Saquon and all the players that went on to other places. It's a special group when you're going through an NFL season, you've got to go through ups and downs," Daboll added. "(I) wish him all the best, except when he is playing the Giants."Daboll was named the 2022 Coach of the Year after leading the Giants to the playoffs, but the franchise struggled to replicate that form last season, finishing the year with a 6-11 record.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are finalizing a trade to send standout cornerback L'Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick swap, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.Sneed, whom the Chiefs franchise tagged this offseason, will sign a new contract with the Titans as part of the trade, according to Schefter. The pact is a four-year extension worth $76 million with $55 million guaranteed, sources told Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.The 27-year-old's reported $19-million average annual salary would rank in the top five among corners. Jaire Alexander of the Green Bay Packers ($21 million) and Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns ($20.1 million) top the position in that catergory, according to Over the Cap.Tennessee had worked for weeks to acquire Sneed but initially failed to agree to terms on a multi-year deal with the defensive back. The Louisiana Tech product was a cornerstone of the Chiefs' secondary and helped the team win back-to-back Super Bowls. Sneed allowed a 56.2 passer rating in 16 appearances during the 2023 season.A 2020 fourth-round pick, Sneed missed six games as a rookie due to injury but has since made at least 15 appearances each campaign. He's averaged 91 tackles, 12 pass breakups, three interceptions, and two sacks per 17 games played since entering the NFL.Landing Sneed is another splash for an aggressive Titans team this offseason. Tennessee signed wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92-million contract and center Lloyd Cushenberry to a four-year pact worth $50 million in free agency. The team has also added free-agent corner Chidobe Awuzie and running back Tony Pollard, among others. Sneed and Awuzie are expected to start outside, with Roger McCreary lining up as the nickel.Tennessee missed the playoffs for a second straight year in 2023 and hired Brian Callahan as head coach this offseason to replace Mike Vrabel. The AFC South club is also moving forward with quarterback Will Levis, a 2023 second-round pick who started nine games in Year 1.Despite parting ways with Sneed, the Chiefs still boast a solid secondary led by All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie. Before receiving the franchise tag, Sneed was one of two main potential free agents for the reigning Super Bowl champions, along with defensive lineman Chris Jones, who recently inked a five-year deal worth a record $158.7 million to remain in Kansas City.The Sneed trade will free up $19.8 million in salary cap space for the Chiefs.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A trade that would've seen the Tennessee Titans acquire cornerback L'Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs fell apart after Tennessee was unable to negotiate a new long-term deal with the star cornerback, according to The Athletic's Nate Taylor.The Chiefs placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed last month and permitted him to seek a trade. The 27-year-old doesn't want to play on the one-year tag, whether it's for Kansas City or elsewhere, per Taylor.The one-year tender would see Sneed earn $19.8 million next season if a new agreement wasn't reached.Sneed is looking to land a new three- or four-year contract that would make him one of the highest-paid players at his position, according to Taylor.Trade discussions regarding Sneed have cooled since the deal between the Titans and Chiefs fell apart. Tennessee turned its attention to improving its offense, signing receiver Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92-million contract.The Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons have backed off their pursuit of Sneed recently.Kansas City was seeking a second-round pick in exchange for Sneed.While Sneed would like to see a significant raise in his salary, he hasn't completely shut the door on a return to the Chiefs to pursue a three-peat."Hopefully, I'm with the Chiefs," Sneed told reporters earlier this month, including Fox 4 KC's Harold R. Kuntz. "Hopefully, I'm still here and, hopefully, we got back (to the Super Bowl). I pray I get to do a three-peat."The 2020 fourth-round pick captured his second league title after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Sneed recorded 78 tackles, 14 passes defensed, and two interceptions during his 2023 campaign.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone discusses the biggest fantasy risers in the NFC after free agency.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco admits he was a "little bit" surprised that the Cleveland Browns didn't re-sign him, but he's thankful for the situation in which he now finds himself."I wasn't really sure how it was going to go," Flacco said, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "It wasn't like I played a ton of games last year or anything like that, but definitely grateful for Indy to reach out and have this as an opportunity."Cleveland brought in the 39-year-old signal-caller last November after a number of its quarterbacks sustained injuries, including Deshaun Watson, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.Flacco appeared to turn back the clock during his tenure in Cleveland, passing for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, with a 90.2 quarterback rating. He became the first Browns QB to throw for 300 yards in four consecutive games.The veteran started the Browns' final five games of the season and played a pivotal role in the club's four-game win streak that resulted in Cleveland clinching a wild-card seed. In recognition of his efforts, Flacco was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year.However, despite his immediate success in Cleveland, the franchise opted to go in a different direction and signed Jameis Winston to a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million.Flacco didn't have to wait long to find a new team, as Indianapolis signed him to a one-year agreement earlier this month that will see him back up former first-round pick Anthony Richardson next season.He sees simplification as a key element in Richardson's development entering his 2024 campaign."It's about being in the room with him, a lot of conversations naturally come up when you spend so much time together. Being able to bring the experience and help him simplify things, go out there, play fast and use his skill set the way he wants to," Flacco said, per The Indianapolis Stars' Joel A. Erickson.Flacco was drafted in 2008 and has thrown for 43,936 yards and 245 TDs while establishing a 103-82 mark as a starter over 16 seasons.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore thinks the acquisition of Keenan Allen could mean big seasons for both players.During an appearance on the "Mully & Haugh Show," Moore said that he was excited when he heard about the trade and doesn't care who is on the receiving end of targets."It doesn't really matter to me," Moore explained. "I know we've both talked about how we're going to complement each other. So I'm just looking forward to that. It might be a race to 1,000 (yards), but that's just a friendly competition. At end of the day, if we're winning, whoever is catching the ball, I don't really care."Moore, who is coming off a single-season career high of 96 receptions and 1,364 yards, added that he's "looking forward to learning from" Allen.His game has spoken for it all. He's a savvy route runner. He sets people up and makes people look silly out there," said Moore.The Bears acquired Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers last week in exchange for a fourth-round pick. The 31-year-old recorded a career-high 108 receptions last season and totalled 1,243 receiving yards.It is not known who will be throwing passes to Moore and Allen, but the Bears will select a quarterback first overall in the draft. Caleb Williams is the top prospect.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz says the team offered Keenan Allen multiple contract options, including an extension, before trading the wide receiver to the Chicago Bears."There was extensions, there was everything," Hortiz said Thursday, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim. "We kind of went down every path, and in the end, this was the one that fit us best and fit him best."Allen's agent, Joby Branion, addressed Hortiz's comments later Thursday, stating the Chargers didn't put more than one contract offer on the table."Only one offer was made," Branion wrote. "It was a pay cut for 2024 with a two-year extension (and both years had even deeper cuts to his current pay). We made a counteroffer. It was rejected. Then we were informed of the Chargers intention to trade Keenan Allen."Los Angeles became cap compliant prior to the start of the new league year after releasing wideout Mike Williams. They created additional cap flexibility after pass-rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa both agreed to revised deals.Allen also said last week that the Chargers asked him to take a pay cut. The six-time Pro Bowler's contract carried a $34.7-million cap hit for L.A. in 2024."It was, 'I'm not doing it.' I'm not doing it. I just came off my best season, so it's not happening," Allen said.L.A. subsequently dealt Allen to Chicago in exchange for a fourth-round pick.Allen spent all 11 seasons of his career as a member of the Chargers organization. He's second on the franchise's all-time list in both career receptions (904) and receiving yards (10,530).The deal provides the Bears with a prolific duo at receiver as Allen teams up with D.J. Moore. The pass-catchers are expected to help Chicago's new starting quarterback get acclimated after the Bears traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. The Bears hold the No. 1 pick in April's draft, in which former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is projected to be selected first overall.With the departures of Williams and Allen, the Chargers' receiving corps is set to feature Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, and Derius Davis. L.A. also added veteran tight ends Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst in free agency as the team enters its first season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL executive Troy Vincent reiterated Thursday that the "tush push" will remain a legal play for the 2024 season, according to Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press."It was best to say leave it alone," Vincent said in a conference call, per Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer.It was reported in December that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wanted the "tush push" permanently banned. The topic was expected to be discussed this offseason, but Jeff Miller - the league's executive vice president overseeing player health and safety - said Thursday there isn't enough injury data to present a proposal to ban the play, according to Maadii.Also known as the "brotherly shove," the "tush push" became a viral NFL topic last season. Led by Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles' version of the quarterback sneak has been virtually unstoppable; the QB sneaks forward in short-yardage situations while being helped by a push by his teammates in the backfield."The Eagles do it well," Vincent added Thursday. He previously said in February it wouldn't make sense to ban the play.Some players from other teams that tried the "tush push" last season sustained injuries, which led to discussion about potentially scrapping it.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A Kansas City, Missouri, man is facing a felony charge after allegedly stealing more than $46,000 worth of equipment from the Miami Dolphins in January.Police met with a Dolphins representative on Jan. 14, a day after Miami's wild-card round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and were informed that a box truck holding team gear and equipment had been broken into and items were missing, WDAF-TV's Brian Dulle reports.The stolen goods included football pads, gloves, shoes, game film, and other miscellaneous items, according to Dulle, citing court documents.Detectives used surveillance video to identify the suspect's vehicle, per court documents, and later found the car containing equipment boxes in the bed matching the description given to them by the Dolphins.Police charged Joseph Brown Sr. with a class C felony for stealing on Wednesday. He's facing a $50,000 cash bond.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is planning to visit the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, a source told Josina Anderson of CBS Sports.Beckham is a player the Dolphins "really like," according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.The 31-year-old wideout posted a goodbye message to Ravens fans on Instagram earlier this week.

Aaron Donald shared a video on social media Wednesday explaining for the first time his decision to retire from football after 10 NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams."I'm complete, I'm full," Donald said. "The passion to play the game is no longer there for me. I'll always love football, but to think about going through another camp, another (17-game) season, I just don't get the urge that I want to push myself to do that no more. I'm burnt out."The former defensive lineman added: "I'm satisfied with what I was able to do in 10 years, and I think it's time for me, at 32 years old, to retire from football and jump into the next step of my career in my life. That's time to move on."

There are still many notable players left on the open market after the first wave of free agency. Not all of them are household names, but they all have the potential to be key contributors in 2024.Here, we try to play matchmaker with the top 20 free agents still left on the market.Justin Simmons Eagles Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe Eagles shouldn't wait any longer to pounce on the biggest free-agent defensive back still on the market. Simmons checks too many boxes to not end up in Philadelphia; he has experience with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and, more importantly, he addresses an area of need.Odell Beckham Jr. ChiefsBeckham and the Chiefs flirted last offseason before the wideout ultimately chose the Ravens. Even after signing Marquise Brown, the reigning champions need more weapons for Patrick Mahomes, who worked wonders with a subpar group outside of Rashee Rice last year.Michael Thomas DolphinsTyreek Hill wants Thomas to join the high-flying Dolphins, and the fit makes sense. Hill and Jaylen Waddle scare defenses so much with their speed that Thomas could thrive working underneath, even if the former Pro Bowler is far from the force he once was.Mike Williams Jets

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone discusses the biggest fantasy risers in the AFC after free agency.

The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson has a message for whoever the team selects."You can't bring that Hollywood stuff into the building," Johnson said on the "Up & Adams" show Wednesday. "Especially not with guys who have played this game at a high level for consecutive years in the league."He added: "We gonna see through it ... What you did in college, the Hollywood, it's like, nah, you gotta prove yourself. That stuff doesn't matter."USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the heavy favorite to be selected No. 1 overall by Chicago. The 22-year-old had his pro day on Wednesday, with Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles in attendance.The Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien are the only quarterbacks remaining on Chicago's roster.Poles made a number of moves this offseason to help the offense, signing running back D'Andre Swift, tight end Gerald Everrett, and trading for wide receiver Keenan Allen, who was there in person for Williams' pro day.

Mike Williams generated interest from multiple teams in free agency, but the opportunity to play with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Garrett Wilson enticed him to pick the New York Jets."I just felt like it was a great fit for me," Williams said on Wednesday, a day after signing a one-year deal with the Jets. "Aaron, I want to be able to play with him, pick his brain, learn from him. Playing alongside Garrett kind of reminded me of Keenan (Allen) a little bit. Similar style of play, great route-runners. I feel like we can complement each other in that area. The running game is pretty good, defense is elite. I just feel like we've got a pretty good opportunity ahead of us. Just looking forward to it."Williams spent the last seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he and Allen formed one of the NFL's best duos.The 29-year-old has been a solid deep target since entering the league as the seventh overall pick in 2017. He's topped 1,000 yards in a season twice and has averaged 15.6 yards per catch in his career, which is the second-best mark in the NFL since 2017 among players with at least 300 catches. He also led the league with 20.4 yards per reception in 2019. Injuries, however, have been an issue for Williams, as the Clemson product has played just one full campaign since turning pro.Williams is used to catching passes from great quarterbacks: he played with Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert as a member of the Chargers. The wideout is now looking forward to the possibility of helping Rodgers."For sure, it makes my job a lot easier," Williams said, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "Also, makes their job easier too, having a guy like me out there to go out there to compete with them. Yeah, I've been pretty privileged having good quarterbacks throughout my career, so looking forward to working with Aaron and getting together with the rest of the guys and see where it goes."Rodgers joined New York in a trade from the Green Bay Packers during the 2023 offseason but suffered an Achilles injury four snaps into his Jets debut. Now surrounded by new weapons and a revamped offensive line, the four-time NFL MVP will try to help the AFC East team snap a postseason drought that dates back to the 2010 season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Caleb Williams is the runaway favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick, and the former USC quarterback delivered on that promise during his pro day Wednesday in front of Chicago Bears decision-makers.With a group that included Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles looking on, the Heisman Trophy winner showed off his arm strength with several picture-perfect deep balls.