NFL Player News

Jones and Anthony Richardson (back) will split first-team reps this spring, JJ Stankevitz of Colts.com reports.

Coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard both suggested there's no timetable for naming a Week 1 starter, with both QBs expected to get significant first-team reps throughout the offseason program (and possibly into training camp). The Colts recently signed Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract that includes $13.15 million guaranteed, putting him above the market for backup quarterbacks but not quite in starter range. It sounds like he and Richardson will split reps 50/50 at the beginning of OTAs.

Colts coach Shane Steichen recently said Richardson (back) and Daniel Jones will split first-team reps this spring and into training camp, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star reports.

Taken fourth overall in the 2023 draft, Richardson has missed 17 of a possible 34 games because of injuries and was benched for another two for performance reasons, with lowlights of his career to date including a 47.7 percent completion rate in 2024. It at least sounds like he'll be healthy for the start of the offseason program, after missing the final two weeks of last season with a back injury. Jones has his own shortcomings and is highly unlikely to ever be anything more than a low-end starter or solid backup, but superior accuracy on short passes is one clear edge he has over Richardson, along with a better track record of availability (although that hasn't exactly been a strength for Jones, either).

Rodgers and Steelers wideout DK Metcalf had a throwing session over the weekend, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Rodgers met with the Steelers on March 21, with subsequent reports suggesting he'll either join them or retire. Their roster looks strong apart from the quarterback room, where Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are the players currently under contract. The throwing session with Metcalf, a recent trade acquisition, may be taken as a hint that Rodgers is leaning toward signing with Pittsburgh.

Jets GM Darren Mougey said Sunday that Fields will be the team's starter heading into the 2025 season, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Fields joined the Jets on a two-year, $40 million contract on March 10 after the team moved on from starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason. It was widely assumed that the 26-year-old would fill the hole at starting quarterback, so Mougey's comments don't come as much of a surprise; however, the general manager added that incumbent backup Tyrod Taylor will be "on his heels," per Costello. Mougey also said that the team is hoping for Fields to pull off a turnaround similar to a pair of other high first-round draft picks who found success with a different team than the one who drafted them, citing Sam Darnold with the Vikings last year and Baker Mayfield with the Buccaneers, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Fields performed relatively well after being traded from the Bears to the Steelers last offseason. In 10 appearances with six starts, he completed a career-high 65.8 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception to go along with 62 carries for 289 yards and five TDs. The Jets' offensive skill players are headlined by a pair of standouts with wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, but the team lacks in offensive depth and overall infrastructure.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Sunday that Prescott (hamstring) will participate in a limited fashion to begin the offseason program, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Jones added that Prescott is continuing to do well in his recovery from a season-ending torn right hamstring, saying, "He's very thrilled with where he is. And I know the trainers are too," according to Machota. The 31-year-old underwent season-ending surgery in mid-November, and his timeline for a full recovery was expected to take about three months, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The quarterback had middling production through eight games last season with 11 touchdowns to eight interceptions while completing 65 percent of his passes. As one of the teams that hired a new head coach, Dallas' offseason workouts are scheduled to start April 7, which is two weeks earlier than teams with no head coaching change. These early workouts will be the best opportunity to evaluate Prescott's health until OTAs and mandatory minicamp that typically run through mid-June. The start date for the offseason program has yet to be determined. Participating in said program under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who was promoted from offensive coordinator this offseason, could be critical as Prescott aims to bounce back in 2025.

The Titans signed Boyle to a contract Wednesday.

Boyle, a storied journeyman who's logged action for the Packers, Lions, Bears, Jets, Dolphins and Giants in his NFL career, now joins a Tennessee quarterback room alongside incumbents Will Levis and Brandon Allen. The Titans are strong candidates to make further additions to the quarterback room this offseason, potentially including with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Giants and Wilson agreed to a one-year contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Giants have been in search of a new starting quarterback since moving on from Daniel Jones last season, and Wilson seemingly will be the choice for them to begin 2025, even with fellow offseason signing Jameis Winston on the roster and the draft still to come. Wilson will receive $10.5 million guaranteed upon signing, with the potential to make $21 million this season. In 11 regular-season appearances (all starts) in his only campaign with the Steelers in 2024, he completed 214 of 336 passes (63.7 percent) for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, had 43 carries for 155 yards and two more TDs and fumbled five times (four lost).

Winston and the Giants are finalizing a two-year, $8 million contract, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Per Schultz, the contract could be worth up to $16 million with incentives. Winston stepped into a starting role for the Browns last season after Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles, and he finished the campaign with 2,121 passing yards on a 61 percent completion rate and a 13:12 TD:INT over 12 contests while adding 83 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. For the time being, Winston looks to be in line for a starting role with New York, though the team could still pursue another quarterback in free agency or the draft given Tommy DeVito is the only other QB currently under contract. If Winston does land the starting role, he'll have one of the league's most talented young wideouts in Malik Nabers to throw the ball to, though turnovers have frequently been a flaw in Winston's game as evidenced by his 154:111 TD:INT over 105 regular-season contests. Winston missed the end of the 2024 regular season with a right shoulder injury, but that no longer seems to be a concern considering the Giants' willingness to hand him a potentially central role from the outset of the 2025 campaign.

Rodgers is meeting with the Steelers on Friday, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Rodgers is present at Pittsburgh's team facilities Friday, following a recent report that the veteran quarterback is no longer considered a strong contender to join the Vikings, who remain committed to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Steelers are currently without a clear starting option under center, with the team's largest splash at the position in free agency having been the signing of career journeyman Mason Rudolph to a two-year deal. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that no agreement between Rodgers and Pittsburgh is currently imminent, but along with the Giants, the Steelers seem like one of the best remaining potential fits for the 41-year-old signal-caller.

Franks signed a one-year deal with the Falcons on Thursday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

The tight end caught one pass for 12 yards in 16 games with the Panthers in 2024, playing more on special teams (302 snaps) than offense (44 snaps). Franks spent 2023 on the Falcons' injured reserve list with an undisclosed issue but suited up for 20 combined games with the team the previous two seasons. He did not record a catch in either campaign.