NFL Player News

The Cowboys gave Rush a restricted free agent tender, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

The 26-year-old backup quarterback has played 26 offensive snaps in three seasons with Dallas, last throwing a pass in a regular-season game in 2017. Rush was shaky during preseason play the past two years, so it won't come as any surprise if the Cowboys bring in competition for the No. 2 QB job. To that effect, Clayton Thorson spent most of 2019 on the team's practice squad and then signed a reserve/futures contract at the end of the season.

Allen signed a one-year extension with the Panthers on Tuesday.

Allen initially had some success in 2019, when he took over the starting quarterback job, but he ultimately accounted for 46 sacks, 16 interceptions and 13 fumbles in 13 games, struggling to handle pressure or complete deep passes. The 24-year-old figures to compete with Will Grier (foot) for a backup job in 2020, though it isn't 100 percent clear if Cam Newton (foot) or someone else will be the starter.

Prescott was allegedly offered a contract extension which includes $105 million in guaranteed money, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The report also indicates Prescott would receive an average of $33 million per year, a number that exceeds Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in both total money and guaranteed. It seems unlikely the Cowboys would have truly offered those types of figures to their fourth-year quarterback considering a number of other soon-to-be free agents also figure to be in the franchise's plans, but this is now the second reported instance this offseason the Cowboys have reportedly met with Prescott's representation in regard to a new contract.

The 49ers tendered Mullens to a one-year contract Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old was seldom-used by the 49ers in 2020, only recording three kneel downs behind Jimmy Garoppolo. Mullens is just one year removed from throwing for 2,277 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2018 after Garoppolo tore his ACL. Mullens is expected to provide stability as the backup heading into the 2020 season.

Siemian has made a full recovery from ankle surgery and is set to become a free agent, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Siemian stepped in as the Jets' starting quarterback when Sam Darnold was diagnosed with mononucleosis in September, but the veteran lasted just 18 snaps before suffering a season-ending ankle injury that involved ligament damage. Now given a clean bill of health, Siemian will look for a No. 2 job somewhere, with a return to the Jets not out of the question.

Winston's (thumb/knee) 2020 status is currently the subject of much speculation, and the Buccaneers sound increasingly open to other free-agent options at the position, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Auman formed his conclusions regarding the team's seemingly cooling interest on the first overall pick of the 2015 draft from comments made by both GM Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians during the 2020 NFL Combine. Arians referred to Winston as an "unknown quantity" while heaping unfettered praise on fellow free-agent-to-be Shaquil Barrett in the same breath. The veteran offensive guru also made mention of a head coach being obligated to explore the possibility of a better option at the position if there are any doubts about the starting quarterback. Arians followed up that remark by offering up the names of Tom Brady and Philip Rivers as players whose availability he'd theoretically inquire about ahead of free agency, while Mike Sando of The Athletic also reports one NFL GM at the combine mentioned the Buccaneers are highly interested in Teddy Bridgewater in free agency. Licht would only offer tepid endorsement of Winston in his own right, and given the transition and franchise tags would cost the team $25 and $27 million, respectively, for this coming season, there appears to be growing evidence the team may be prepared to move on.

Winston reportedly underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus that required trimming, NFL.com reports.

The report doesn't specify when the procedure occurred, but this nugget only reinforces that the QB -- who was already known to have previously been dealing with a hairline fracture in his throwing thumb -- played through some aches and pains this past season. In the process, the 26-year-old threw for 5,109 yards but logged a shaky 33:30 TD:INT ratio. In any case, as free agency approaches, this nugget adds some context to the mixed results the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft put up in 2019. At this stage, a return to the Bucs -- either on a new deal or through a franchise or transition tag -- still seems like a plausible outcome for Winston.

Rudolph (shoulder) has resumed throwing footballs, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The report adds that the 2018 third-rounder, who is bouncing back from offseason surgery to address a fractured AC joint, is expected to be full go for offseason work. In that context, Rudolph could be in line to significant QB reps out of the gate, with veteran starter Ben Roethlisberger on the mend from elbow surgery.

General manager Bob Quinn said Stafford (back) is healthy and the quarterback will be full go for the start of the offseason training program, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Quinn also reiterated that Stafford is not on the trade block while adding that he still considers the 32-year-old signal caller to be in his prime. Considering Stafford was among the top five in the league in passing touchdowns, passing yards, passer rating and completions of 20-plus yards when he injured his back in Week 9, that claim isn't a stretch.

General manager John Elway acknowledged that Lock is "the guy" in Denver, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Lock's 64.1 percent completion rate as a rookie was actually better than what he posted in any of his four seasons at Missouri. That's not to say concerns about accuracy or pocket presence can now be totally dismissed, but the 2019 second-round pick at least played well enough to earn the starting job for Week 1 of 2020. Elway was asked about the possibility of signing Tom Brady, and while the GM said he'd be willing to talk with the future Hall of Famer, he also made sure to mention that the Broncos are happy with Lock, per Mike Klis of 9News Denver. There hasn't been any other suggestion that Denver is one of the destinations Brady would consider.