NFL Player News

Taylor has agreed on terms on a two-year, $18 million deal with the Jets, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Taylor is staying in New York but will sport a different jersey. The journeyman signal-caller accumulated 1,399 yards and six touchdowns through the air across 14 games (five starts) during his two-year stint with the Giants. With 58 career starts under his belt, he's a safe veteran choice to back up Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), as the Jets were determined to improve in that department following the 2023 season.

Brissett has agreed to terms on a one-year, $8 million contract with New England, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

It remains to be seen what the Patriots choose to do with their No. 3 selection in this year's draft, but Brissett is now the No. 1 option under center with New England one day removed from dealing Mac Jones to the Jaguars. The journeyman quarterback started his career with the Pats in 2016 and actually started two games in place of a suspended Tom Brady. He then spent his next four seasons with the Colts, both as a backup and starter before subsequently spending one year each with the Dolphins, Browns and Commanders. If the team does decide to draft a quarterback, Brissett still could start while the team develops someone behind him or use him as a top-tier backup option.

Minshew has agreed to a two-year deal with the Raiders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Per Pelissero, Minshew's deal is for $25 million and includes $15 million fully guaranteed. Given those reported numbers, Minshew should have a chance to compete with Aidan O'Connell for the Raiders' starting QB job. Minshew -- who turns 28 in May -- recorded 3,305 passing yards to go along with 15 TDs and nine picks in 17 regular-season games (13 starts) with the Colts in 2023. With Minshew on the way out, 2023 first-rounder Anthony Richardson, who is bouncing back from a shoulder injury, is poised to reclaim Indy's starting signal-caller assignment this coming season.

Cousins (Achilles) is signing a four-year contract with the Falcons, according to agent Mike McCartney at Vayner Sports.

The Falcons were rumored to represent Minnesota's strongest competition for the 35-year-old QB and apparently won the bidding within the first three hours of the free-agent negotiating period. Cousins can't sign a contract until Wednesday afternoon, and it might take a bit longer than that to become official given the possible complication of his rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon. The injury is less of a concern for a pocket passer than for other NFL players, but it may nonetheless impact Cousins' participation in offseason practices under new Falcons coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The signing is excellent news for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, and it also bodes well for RB Bijan Robinson's continued involvement as a receiver. Cousins won't necessarily have the deepest group of pass catchers in Atlanta, but he'll have high-end talent and a strong offensive line. The Vikings, meanwhile, are left without a starting QB and figure to take a look at both veteran and rookie options.

The 49ers are set to re-sign Allen as a backup quarterback, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Allen did not appear in a game for the 49ers last season, as he operated only as the team's emergency third quarterback, but he could step up to a more important role behind Brock Purdy for the 2024 campaign if Sam Darnold isn't re-signed. Now heading into his age-32 season, Allen is also capable of contributing in a mentorship role.

Pickett won't necessarily have the opportunity to compete with newly signed Russell Wilson for a starting job, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson may be past his prime but nonetheless became a strong favorite for the Week 1 start when his decision to sign with the Steelers was announced Sunday night. GM Omar Khan said a week earlier that he had "full faith" in Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick (20th overall) with more regular-season wins (14) than TD passes (13). A good defense and strong record in one-score games has allowed the Steelers to stick in the playoff hunt the past two years, but Wilson should give the offense some actual upside in what likely will be a run-first system under new coordinator Arthur Smith. Meanwhile, QB Mason Rudolph now seems likely to sign with a new team, leaving Wilson and Pickett as the experienced QBs in Pittsburgh.

Cousins (Achilles) is expected to begin negotiating with the Falcons when the legal tampering period begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Rumors have connected the two parties for the past couple weeks, and it sounds like the Falcons may be willing to outbid the Vikings for Cousins' services. It's also possible the Vikings up their offer in the presence of a real threat, and Cousins may even give the team an opportunity to match any offer he receives. Whatever the case, Atlanta needs to be taken seriously as a contender for Cousins' services. His presence under center would be a huge fantasy boost for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, with RB Bijan Robinson possibly benefiting quite a bit as well.

Beathard is expected to compete with Mac Jones -- who is slated to be traded from the Patriots to the Jaguars -- to be Trevor Lawrence's top backup in 2024, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

The report notes that Beathard is in the final year of a two-year, $4.5 million contract that he signed prior to last season. Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, part of the Jaguars' motivation for the deal is that Beathard has been banged up at times during his stint with the team, with Jones -- a 2021 first-rounder -- giving the team a healthy backup option with plenty of starting experience ahead of the coming season.

Wilson plans to sign a one-year contract with the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

According to Schefter, it will be a "team-friendly" deal, with the Broncos being on the hook for most of his $38 million salary in 2024. Wilson still hasn't even officially been released by Denver, but it sounds like he's already found his new team. The move should become official when the new league year opens Wednesday afternoon. In Pittsburgh, Wilson will link up with new OC Arthur Smith and be the heavy favorite to open the 2024 season as the Steelers' starter over 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett. For fantasy purposes, it's not a great landing spot in Smith's run-centric, methodical offense, but Wilson should be viewed as an upgrade over Pickett. Wilson's insertion does boost the fantasy stocks of George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth.

Cousins (Achilles) is expected to test the free-agent market this week, though his agent and the Vikings remain in contact, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

"The Vikings are still in this," Pelissero added. But the Falcons and Broncos were two teams mentioned as possible destinations should Cousins ultimately leave Minnesota. Teams are permitted to speak with free agents from other teams starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday. Cousins is expected to command a contract that averages more than $40 million per year.