NFL Player News

Herbert (finger) has lost the majority of his offensive playmakers with the departures of WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, RB Austin Ekeler and TE Gerald Everett this offseason, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.

That quartet accounted for 57 percent of Herbert's completions, pass yards and touchdowns last season. Still remaining on the roster are WRs Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston, the latter of whom is likely to be tasked up considerably in 2024. Coach Jim Harbaugh also is known for his desire to run the ball effectively, though Gus Edwards and Isaiah Spiller are an underwhelming duo atop the RB depth chart. All told, Herbert's supporting cast has taken a significant hit this offseason, even after taking into account that the team could be in line to draft a wide receiver or tight end Brock Bowers with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Commanders are sending Howell, a fourth-round draft pick and a sixth-rounder to the Seahawks in exchange for third and fifth-round draft choices, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

With Howell no longer in the mix, Washington figures to use the No. 2 overall pick in April's NFL Draft on a new franchise QB. Meanwhile, Howell, who started all 17 of the Commanders' regular-season games in 2023, fills the void created by Drew Lock's departure in free agency and gives the Seahawks an alternative to incumbent No. 1 signal-caller Geno Smith.

The Ravens re-signed Johnson to a one-year contract Thursday.

Johnson is set to return as Lamar Jackson's backup, with second-year developmental option Malik Cunningham also waiting in the wings. The veteran, who is entering his age-38 season, spent the 2023 campaign as an emergency option behind Jackson and Tyler Huntley, the latter who is now a free agent.

Lawrence will enter the 2024 season without the presence of Calvin Ridley, who is set to sign a four-year, $92 million contract with the Titans, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.

Lawrence suited up for one less game last season after playing all 17 in 2022, but despite Ridley's presence atop the depth chart, he took a step back in terms of passing yards (4,016 vs. 4,113), touchdowns (21 vs. 25), and increased his interception total (14 vs. eight). That said, the loss of Ridley to free agency still represents a knock to Lawrence's prospects for 2024, especially with Zay Jones also being a speculated cap casualty. The addition of Gabe Davis from Buffalo, who joins Christian Kirk (groin), does something to mitigate those concerns, and the Jaguars still have plenty of time to make further moves in free agency or April's draft.

The Falcons are trading Ridder to Arizona in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Ridder gets a chance to start fresh after Atlanta opted to ink Kirk Cousins (Achilles) to a massive four-year contract, and he becomes the favorite to back up Kyler Murray for the Cardinals. The team also has 2023 fifth-round pick Clayton Tune available, and further competition could be added this offseason, but Ridder boasts enough experience to step up in emergency circumstances. Across 15 appearances last season, he completed 249 of 388 passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Falcons are expected to trade Ridder following the signing of Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract worth up to $180 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Atlanta reportedly doesn't have an immediate deal in place, but Ridder should draw some interest from teams in the league willing to part with later draft picks. The 2022 third-round pick boasts a unique amount of starting experience, as he's now heading into just his age-25 season, potentially making him an upgrade as a No. 2 option for some quarterback rooms in the NFL. If Ridder is indeed traded, it could throw a wrench in the assumption that Atlanta will release Taylor Heinicke in a cap-savings move.

The Saints are signing Peterman to a contract Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Peterman played four snaps as the Bears' third-string quarterback last season but didn't attempt a pass. Now, he'll get an opportunity to compete for a similar spot, if not potentially the top backup role, behind Derek Carr in New Orleans. Peterman previously backed up Carr during their time together with the Raiders.

Levis (foot) will enter the 2024 NFL season with new skill-position talent, headlined by Calvin Ridley being slated to join the Titans on a four-year, $92 million contract, and by Derrick Henry set to be replaced by Tony Pollard in the backfield, Turron Davenport of ESPN reports.

Tennessee adding a hopeful true No. 1 wideout in Ridley is arguably just as impactful as Henry's tenure as the franchise face finally coming to an end. Ridley joins veteran DeAndre Hopkins, giving Levis two proven pass-catchers who both surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in 2023, allowing Treylon Burks to slide down to the No. 3 role and benefit from lesser defensive coverage. On paper, Levis now looks set to benefit from one of the best three-receiver groups in the league, while the recently re-signed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is a capable fourth man. Pollard, meanwhile, isn't nearly the between-the-tackles bruiser that Henry was, but he brings true three-down versatility and a skillset that's more interchangeable with second-year pro Tyjae Spears, allowing the Titans to swap both backs out freely without hinting at any specific playcall. Levis said in February at Super Bowl LVIII that he was already "close" to healthy, per Jim Wyatt of the team's official site.

Burrow (wrist) is slated to enter the 2024 season with a revamped skill-position group, with Joe Mixon set to be traded to the Texans, Zack Moss inking a two-year deal as his replacement, and numerous shifts in the receiving game, Ben Baby of ESPN reports.

Burrow will have to cope with more than just a new-look backfield, though it remains to be seen whether Moss can adequately fill Mixon's shoes, even after he proved so productive filling in for Jonathan Taylor at the start of last season. Tyler Boyd is currently a free agent, while explosive tight end Mike Gesicki is poised to ink a one-year deal with the Bengals, giving Burrow a replacement target in the middle of the field. Perhaps most important, though, is the fact that Tee Higgins has requested a trade, as Jared Goffinet of Fox 19 Cincinnati reports. That situation may not resolve in the near future, and further changes on offense could still occur in free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft, but in any scenario, Ja'Marr Chase will remain the pillar of this receiving game. For his part, Burrow is expected to be cleared for full contact by mid-May, as he continues his recovery from Nov. 27 surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist.

Love is set to enter the 2024 season with a new-look backfield led by Josh Jacobs, who is slated to sign a four-year contract worth up to $48 million with the Packers, while Aaron Jones is moving on to Minnesota on a one-year contract, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Green Bay replacing Jones with Jacobs isn't the only piece of notable backfield news, as AJ Dillon is currently a free agent and the team's only depth now consists of Emanuel Wilson and Ellis Merriweather. Jacobs is coming off a down season, with just 805 yards on 233 carries (six touchdowns), but he's only one year removed from having led the NFL with 1,653 yards rushing on 340 carries (12 scores). Perhaps most importantly, Jacobs does boast a true three-down skillset, making him an ideal fit for coach Matt LaFleur's scheme, and providing Love with a reliable bailout option and target in the short field. Jacobs has two seasons with 50-plus catches under his belt, and he's a perfect match for the play-action game in Green Bay.