NFL Player News

The Jets believe Hackenberg has a higher ceiling than Bryce Petty (shoulder), the NY Daily News reports.

The recent signing of Josh McCown puts another obstacle in Hackenberg's path, following a rookie season in which the second-round draft pick didn't attempt any passes even though the Jets' quarterback corps was decimated by injuries. While Hackenberg's struggles in practice kept him behind Petty on the depth chart, the Jets apparently still believe the former has a higher long-term ceiling than the latter. Hackenberg may well be headed for another season as the No. 3 quarterback, but that doesn't mean he won't have a shot to compete with McCown and Petty for the starting job in training camp. It sounds as if Hackenberg would be a long shot in such a competition, unless he is drastically improved from what the Jets saw in practice last year.

Hackenberg may be a long shot to play in 2017 after the Jets signed veteran quarterback Josh McCown on Monday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The Jets' QB corps endured ineffectiveness or injuries last season, with all of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith (torn ACL), and Bryce Petty (shoulder) missing time due to a variety of concerns. Despite all that, Hackenberg wasn't active once, but with Fitzpatrick and Smith out of the picture, he and Petty were the only signal-callers on the roster until management opted to bring McCown into the fold. McCown can be considered a stop-gap option as Petty and Hackenberg develop, but the veteran is a good bet to add to his cluttered medical chart as the 2017 campaign wears on. If McCown yields the top job at some point, Petty would likely be given the first shot to fill in after making four starts (among six appearances) in 2016. There's also the possibility that the Jets draft a quarterback for the third consecutive offseason, thereby throwing another hat into the ring. Consequently, Hackenberg appears set for regular healthy scratches for the second straight year.

Despite the signing of Josh McCown on Monday, Petty (shoulder) is a good bet to start for the Jets during the 2017 season, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The addition of McCown indicates that the Jets are in rebuilding mode, as the veteran will enter next season as a certified 38-year-old graybeard. Further working in Petty's favor is McCown's inability to stay on the field. Over the past two campaigns, McCown has managed just 13 appearances (11 starts) due to two broken collarbones and multiple rib fractures. Furthermore, he's take the field more than 10 times in a given season just twice in 14 years as a professional. Given McCown's age and durability concerns, Petty and 2016 second-round pick Christian Hackenberg are candidates to direct the Jets' offense at some point in the fall. Petty is the more likely candidate to do so after making four starts among six games in 2016, during which he completed 75 of 133 passes (56.4 percent) for 809 yards, three touchdowns, and seven interceptions. However, a portion of his offseason may be consumed by his recovery from surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Smith (knee) made his one-year deal with the Giants official after passing a physical Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

Smith is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 7 of last season, but after medical testing revealed no red flags with his condition, the former Jets quarterback has now officially switched his colors. According to Smith, he expects be ready by the time training camp rolls around, which bodes well for his chances of securing the Giants' No. 2 gig behind starter Eli Manning, who is yet to miss a single start in his 13-year career due to injury.

Nassib (elbow) may not have a future in New York, Syracuse.com reports.

Nassib struggled during the 2016 preseason and then battled an elbow injury for much of the year, ultimately requiring surgery. It was a rough way to enter unrestricted free agency, and the Giants have since re-signed Josh Johnson and agreed to terms with Geno Smith. It thus appears Nassib, a 2013 fourth-round selection, will head elsewhere after attempting only 10 regular-season passes in his four years with the Giants. He may have to settle for a shot to compete for a No. 2 job.

Smith (knee) agreed in principle to a contract with the Giants on Friday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. He's expected to take a physical over the weekend and officially sign with the team Monday.

The Giants addressed the depth behind starting quarterback Eli Manning by inking journeyman Josh Johnson to a deal earlier in the day, but it now looks like Smith will be the leading contender for top backup duties. After a tumultuous four-year run with the Jets that included only three appearances over his final two seasons with the team while Ryan Fitzpatrick served as the team's primary signal-caller, Smith should face significantly less pressure to perform in joining New York's other team. Manning has been a picture of durability throughout his tenure with the Giants -- having not missed a start due to injury at any point in his career -- so it's likely that any action Smith gets this season will come in the second half of blowouts.

Johnson signed a two-year contract with the Giants on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Giants could look to address their quarterback depth in the 2017 NFL Draft, but as things currently stand, Johnson or Geno Smith looks in line to serve as Eli Manning's top backup. The 30-year-old Johnson brings a mobility to the position that Manning lacks, but he hasn't logged a snap in a regular-season game since the 2013 season. Fortunately for the Giants, Manning is about as durable as it gets, so Johnson's lack of reps the last few seasons shouldn't be a major issue.

Lynch, who is working with a private tutor in Florida, has been in contact with new head coach Vance Joseph ahead of next month's team activities, the Broncos' official site reports.

Joseph told reporters that while Lynch has the physical traits to be a successful quarterback, taking up that mantle requires leadership and study -- a challenge Lynch is ready for. The comments seem to address rumors that have circulated claiming that Lynch showed some immaturity during his rookie season, which was primarily spent serving as Trevor Siemian's backup. So long as Lynch heeds his new coach's words, it'd be a surprise if he doesn't win the starting job come August. The second-year passer has a unique blend of size, athleticism and arm strength, and the switch in systems from the West Coast offense Denver used last season to a hybrid scheme under new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy would seem to fit those traits.

Taylor's restructured contract increases the Bills' flexibility to release him after the 2017 season, ESPN.com reports.

In addition to slashing his 2017 base salary by more than $6 million, the deal improves Buffalo's long-term flexibility, which is something the team has heavily emphasized while negotiating with Taylor the past two offseasons. The 27-year-old quarterback has been good enough that the Bills don't want to let him go, but he apparently hasn't quite been good enough to warrant a true long-term investment. It's a bit surprising Taylor was amenable to a restructure that so obviously works in the team's favor, as he'd likely draw plenty of interest if he hit the open free-agent market. He's locked in as the starting quarterback in Buffalo, but only for the upcoming season. If he disappoints, the Bills will be able to trade or release him without taking much of a cap hit. Meanwhile, the team hasn't actively addressed its shaky receiving corps, signing Philly Brown but losing both Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. Of course, Sammy Watkins' health is more important than anything that happens in free agency or the draft.

Cousins said he didn't ask for a trade but rather asked Redskins owner Dan Snyder and team president Bruce Allen if they were thinking about trading him, The Washington Post reports.

Some of last week's reports were apparently inaccurate, as Cousins said he hasn't asked for a trade and was told the team isn't trying to trade him. While a long-term contract still hasn't been worked out, Cousins did sign his franchise tender Friday, setting the stage for the two sides to resume negotiations. Even if no agreement is reached, it seems the Redskins are fine with keeping Cousins around for another season under the franchise tag. The 49ers were the team most often mentioned in trade rumors, but it seems the rumors were exactly that. Unless another team completely blows them away with an unexpected trade offer, the Redskins will keep Cousins under center in 2017.