NFL Player News

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst is "still holding firm" that he won't trade Rodgers, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Rodgers has neither confirmed nor denied asking for a trade, but there's little question he's upset with the Packers' front office, an outfit led by Gutekunst and team president Mark Murphy. The 37-year-old QB isn't with the team for voluntary OTAs, thus missing out on a $500,000 workout bonus. The Packers can fine him $93,085 if he misses all three days of mandatory minicamp June 8-10, plus $50,000 for each missed day of training camp later this summer. Rodgers seems to be angling for a trade -- and might even threaten retirement -- while Gutekunst still is trying to find a resolution that keeps the reigning MVP in Green Bay for at least one more season.

Lawrence performed well during this week's OTAs and did not seem to have any issue with his non-throwing shoulder, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.

Perhaps more importantly, head coach Urban Meyer suggested the No.1 overall pick was "not necessarily on a pitch count," further indicating Lawrence is not restricted in any way after undergoing surgery to address a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Clemson product is expected to compete with Gardner Minshew for the starting role and likely should be considered the favorite for the job entering training camp.

Watson isn't attending OTAs or team Zoom calls, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.

Even if he were to withdraw his trade request, Watson might not be permitted to rejoin the team, as he's facing 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. He isn't likely to participate in any aspect of the Texans' offseason program.

The Cardinals cut McDonald on Thursday, Kyle Odegard of the team's official site reports.

The Cardinals now only have Colt McCoy and Chris Streveler behind Kyler Murray on the offseason roster. McDonald, who joined the NFL as a 2020 seventh-round pick of the Titans, will look to continue his development elsewhere.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that Mahomes (toe) has been a "full go" in practice during the past week of OTAs, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mahomes sat out Thursday's session, but his absence was apparently a pre-planned maintenance day as part of his recovery program from offseason toe surgery. The quarterback is clearly ahead of schedule in his rehab, and the fact that he hasn't been restricted in practices this spring suggests he'll head into training camp with few limitations, if any. After Mahomes was under siege throughout the Chiefs' loss to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, Kansas City has made upgrading the offensive line a top priority in the offseason. In addition to getting stalwart right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif back after he opted out of the 2020 season, Kansas City signed left guard Joe Thuney to a five-year, $80 million deal and acquired left tackle Orlando Brown via trade with Baltimore.

Love displayed improvement at OTAs this week, running the first-team offense while Aaron Rodgers remained away from the team, ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

Love reportedly handled all the first-team snaps, though he was throwing most of his passes to backups, as top wideouts Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling didn't participate in the practice that was open to media. Love did throw to TE Robert Tonyan and RB Aaron Jones, with the latter noting that the second-year QB seems much more comfortable this year. Despite being a first-round pick in last year's draft, Love spent his entire rookie season buried in the No. 3 QB role, while Tim Boyle was the No. 2 guy behind Aaron Rodgers. The Packers let Boyle leave for Detroit this offseason, but they did later sign Blake Bortles, who didn't participate in OTAs this week. Regardless, the hope for Love establishing fantasy value this year still depends on how the drama between Rodgers and the Packers plays out.

Prescott didn't take part in full team drills during Tuesday's OTA session, but his ankle didn't appear to be an issue during individual and 7-on-7 drills, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. "I'm pretty much a full-go," Prescott said after the workout. "I'm not being limited or restricted to doing anything. I'm ready to go. I don't know as far as being tackled or my ankle being jerked and stuff under a pile, obviously we're not there yet. But we're far from being there, so I'm good to go, really."

Per coach Mike McCarthy, the quarterback is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery from last year's ankle surgery. Prescott won't see any contact until training camp, but he's on track to be a full participant once it begins in July.

Stafford (thumb) said Monday he's "not limited at all" after having undergone a procedure back in March, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Stafford played through a torn UCL in his right thumb in 2020, and while he required a minor surgery to address the issue, it looks like he won't be limited at all during his first offseason with coach Sean McVay and the Rams. That will allow the 33-year-old veteran plenty of time to build chemistry with new receivers Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, DeSean Jackson and Van Jefferson, not to mention tight end Tyler Higbee and second-year running back Cam Akers. Last season, Stafford also dealt with injuries to his ankle, knee and elbow, plus torn rib cartilage, but he appears to have returned to full health without any setbacks.

Mahomes (toe) is ahead of schedule in his rehab and is expected to participate in offseason OTAs, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

It's unclear how much Mahomes will really be expected to do during OTAs, but just the fact the 2018 MVP will even participate at all after undergoing February surgery to repair a torn plantar plate in his left foot certainly appears to be a good sign. The Chiefs drastically overhauled the offensive line this season, acquiring five new potential starters in the form or Orlando Brown, Joe Thuney, Kyle Long, Austin Blythe and Mike Remmers while also drafting Creed Humphrey in the second round, all with the intention of keeping Mahomes upright, unlike in Super Bowl LV when he was hit seven times.

The Broncos cut Cookus on Thursday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Denver already has all of Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater and Brett Rypien on the roster, so Cookus didn't have much of a chance to stick around. He spent time on the Giants' practice squad in 2020 after going undrafted out of Northern Arizona.