NFL Player News

Johnson underwent surgery on his ankle, Tom Krasovic of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Johnson had been playing with the San Diego Fleet of the AAF but didn't get any game action before his injury. He isn't expected to return to the AAF this season, but he could get a shot with an NFL team after he recovers from surgery.

The Saints signed Bridgewater on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bridgewater considered a contract offer from the Dolphins, which would have included a chance to start in 2019. In the end, though, he's returning to the Saints and the potential to be Drew Brees' heir apparent. There's no telling how much tread Brees has left on his tires, but Bridgewater again will act as his primary backup.

Bridgewater could renege on his commitment to re-sign with the Saints, as the quarterback is still weighing a contract offer from the Dolphins, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports.

Bridgewater may be having second thoughts about returning to New Orleans for another season with no chance of earning a starting job. The Dolphins wouldn't be able to put much talent around Bridgewater, but they could at least promise a quarterback competition this summer. It's also quite possible the final decision simply comes down to money. Coach Sean Payton has dropped multiple hints that he views Bridgewater as the eventual replacement for Drew Brees.

Taylor agreed to terms Wednesday with the Chargers on a two-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Taylor will provide the Chargers with a proven backup behind 37-year-old Philip Rivers, who remains under contract with the team through the 2019 season. The move to Los Angeles thus denies Taylor a chance to compete for a starting role in the short term, but he'll provide his new team with excellent insurance in the event that the durable Rivers suffers an injury this coming season. If Rivers elects to retire after the 2019 campaign, Taylor could make for a decent bridge option to a younger signal-caller.

Mayfield will have a new No. 1 receiver in 2019 after the Browns traded for Odell Beckham on Tuesday.

The only thing better than winning the Antonio Brown trade sweepstakes might be getting OBJ into the mix, and the Browns didn't have to give up any key offensive players to do so. Mayfield is already coming off a nice rookie season that saw him throw for 3,725 yards and 27 touchdowns while starting 14 games. Mayfield will have a multitude of weapons heading into the new season, featuring receivers Beckham and Jarvis Landry, tight end David Njoku, and running backs Nick Chubb, Duke Johnson and the newly acquired Kareem Hunt. That's a potent group that Cleveland fans may not have been able to envision just a couple of seasons ago.

Heinicke (elbow) signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on Tuesday, Jourdan Rodrigue reports.

Heinicke was a restricted free agent, and now re-ups with Carolina to compete with Kyle Allen (shoulder) for the No. 2 gig behind Cam Newton (shoulder) in 2019. The 25-year-old started Week 16 against the Falcons last season, and led the Panthers' offense to a touchdown on the game's opening drive, the first touchdown pass of his career. Heinicke then sustained and played through a season-ending hyperextended elbow, ending the day having completed 33-of-55 passes for 274 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

Bridgewater plans to re-sign with the Saints, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.

Bridgewater reportedly turned down a larger contract from Miami, preferring to stay in New Orleans, where he may eventually have a chance to replace Drew Brees as the starting quarterback. The 26-year-old struggled when he finally got on the field Week 17 this past season, playing alongside other backups in a 33-14 loss to the Panthers. There's no guarantee Bridgewater ever gets his shot as the starter in New Orleans, as the 40-year-old Brees just posted the best passer rating (115.7) of his 18-year career.

The Eagles plan on tendering Sudfeld at a second-round level, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM Radio reports.

With Nick Foles off to Jacksonville, the Eagles decided to lock down at least one backup option for starter Carson Wentz. The Eagles still could bring in another quarterback, but Sudfeld currently is the No. 2 in Philadelphia.

The Broncos have agreed to deal Keenum and a 2020 seventh-round pick to the Redskins for a 2020 sixth-round pick, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports. The trade will be official Wednesday, per Klis.

After agreeing to terms of a trade for Joe Flacco last month, the Broncos were in a holding pattern with Keenum, a free-agent splash last offseason. Additional terms of the deal include the Broncos giving Keenum a $500,000 restructure bonus and covering $3.5 million of his $7 million salary for the 2019 season. The Redskins are expected to allow Keenum and Colt McCoy to battle for the starting role in the absence of Alex Smith, who may not play again due to a severe leg injury suffered last November.

Keenum is a candidate to be traded from Denver to Washington, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

With Joe Flacco in line to be acquired by the Broncos, Keenum obviously is expendable, and Washington is looking for QB help due to Alex Smith's serious leg injury. If Keenum does end up in Washington, he'd have to to compete with Colt McCoy for the team's starting job.