NFL Player News

With the Browns' quarterback situation in flux at the moment, there is considerable interest within the organization in acquiring a starting-caliber option this offseason.

According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, the Browns are interested in trading for Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. The goal would be to acquire Bradford by only having to give up a second- or third-round pick.

However, the report also states that Bradford has let the Rams know he would not like to be traded.

The Browns are also reportedly interested in quarterback Josh McCown, who was recently cut by the Buccaneers.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher said that QB Sam Bradford is not seeking a trade. 

Two days after reports surfaced that the Rams had given Bradford's agent permission to speak to other teams, Fisher addressed the rumor. 

Speaking at the Indianapolis scouting combine on Friday, Fisher said that the previous reports were "inaccurate". 

While he doesn't forsee dealing Bradford, Fisher added that the team will look to add quarterback depth in the offseason. "I don’t know what that’s going to look like,” he said. “It could be a veteran, could be a draft pick."

Although the Cowboys are reportedly pleased with Brandon Weeden, coach Jason Garrett told reporters he's still leaving the door open to adding a veteran this offseason, per ESPN.

Weeden, 31, is entering the final year of his contract. Last season, he passed for 303 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions while filling in for Romo when he was sidelined with two transverse process fractures. Dustin Vaughan, an undrafted free agent in 2014, was also active for one game last season.

"You're always trying to upgrade your football team," Garrett said. "Obviously, we feel really good about Tony. He had an outstanding year for us last year. Brandon did a really nice job in his opportunities. If you look at what he did -- he played in (four) games, (three) he came in relief for us and the one game he started we didn't play our best game on offense. But it was against a really good defensive team in Arizona. We still feel like he's a young player who needs to play more. He's really growing before our eyes.

"We like what Dustin Vaughn did in the preseason. He is a smart kid. He is really conscientious. He wants to be a good football player and works very hard at it. He's one of those guys, too, a young player and you can see him get better with every rep that he gets. He is going about it the right way. We think he's got a future."

Seahawks general manager John Schneider told reporters during Thursday's combine press conference that there is "no timeline" on Russell Wilson's contract extension, per the Palm Beach Post.

"I've talked to his people, and they know where we're at," Schneider said.

Schneider also indicated last week that he's expecting to find a way to keep his top quarterback on the roster long-term and he is not afraid to do so unconventionally. Wilson, who has one year left on his rookie contract, has led Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. Wilson registered 3,475 passing yards, with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2014. He also ran for 849 yards and six touchdowns.

With the Browns destined to find a starting quarterback, general manager Ray Farmer told reporters on Thursday that he's done a cost-benefit analysis on trading up for a quarterback, reports the Plain Dealer. The Browns have the No. 12 overall pick in this year's draft.

"Coach (Mike) Pettine has articulated that he wants a starter, so we have to find him a starter," Farmer said.

Farmer was noncommittal when asked whether he believed Johnny Manziel could be the No. 1 come next season. Farmer has spoken to Manziel twice by phone since Manziel checked into rehab.

Farmer wouldn't reveal if he has met with Brian Hoyer's representatives, as well. Hoyer beat out Manziel as the starter last season, but lost his job late in the year. He is expected to become free agent in March.

"Just because a player didn't succeed in one place doesn't mean he won't succeed in another," Farmer said, when asked of the free agency pool.

Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey reiterated that the team will explore all options with Ryan Tannehill, according to NFL.com. The Sun Sentinel reported last week that the Dolphins are discussing a long-term extension with the fourth-year quarterback, with the "framework being a seven-year contract worth about $105 million (depending on incentives)."

"We feel really good about Ryan," Hickey said. "The market is what it is. We're excited about his future as our quarterback."

Tannehill is due $660,000 in 2015, plus a $1.5 million roster bonus. He set career highs in passing yards (4,045) and passing touchdowns (27) while throwing a career-low 12 interceptions last season. He has yet to make an appearance in the postseason.

There's a chance Geno Smith will enter a competition for the starting quarterback job with the Jets.

Speaking at the NFL combine, Jets coach Todd Bowles wouldn't commit to Smith being the team's starter in 2015, via the Palm Beach Post. Part of that has to do with the fact Bowles hasn't met with Smith since taking the head coaching job.

Bowles, via ESPN.com, added that "it's possible" for the Jets to add a veteran quarterback to the mix.

In two seasons, Smith has struggled as the Jets' starter. In 2014, Smith threw for 2,525 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. As a rookie in 2013, Smith threw 21 interceptions to 12 touchdowns.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has permission to request a trade, and his agent will speak with other teams this offseason, reports CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. Because the Rams may have a high asking price for Bradford, the team may prefer to restructure his deal, which could be the most likely outcome, according to La Canfora.

In response to La Canfora's report, general manager Les Snead said "deleting him (from the roster) is not the answer," per the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Bradford, the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Rams in 2010, is coming off his second torn ACL in as many years, and is scheduled to make $12.98 million in base salary in 2015, the last year of his contract. Releasing Bradford would save the team $12.98 million of Bradford's $16.6 million cap charge. Bradford has a career 58.6 completion percentage with 11,065 yards and 59 touchdowns.

When Rams coach Jeff Fisher made the decision to promote Frank Cignetti from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, he said quarterback Sam Bradford played a role in the promotion, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"I had a lengthy discussion with Sam, yes, prior to making the decision," Fisher said. "It was part of the information gathering process. Sam was very forthcoming. He had some firm opinions. I really enjoyed and appreciated his input."

Fisher added that he expects Bradford to be ready for the 2015 season and the plan is for him to compete for the starting role, so the team can have quality options if Bradford suffers another season-ending injury.

"It's not as much from the standpoint of challenging Sam," Fisher said. "It's to have options. We don't know what that looks like right now. We don't know if that's draft, if that's free agency, or what that looks like. But when we line up in September, we'll have somebody there."

Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Tuesday he is expecting to find a way to keep quarterback Russell Wilson on the team long term and he is not afraid to do so unconventionally.

"I think Russell Wilson wants to win championships," Schneider said. "Being a championship caliber team means thinking outside the box a lot of times and we're going to do that with Russell. He knows there are certain dominoes that have to fall in place."

Wilson has one year remaining on his rookie contract and has led Seattle to the Super Bowl two consecutive seasons.

"I've talked to his agent now, much like several of our other free agents. He knows, he gets it," Schneider said. "He wants to win and win for a long time. We're going to do what's best for this organization and that doesn't mean you just do what everybody else around the league has already done."