NFL Player News

The Steelers re-signed Rudolph to a one-year contract Monday, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

A 2018 third-round pick, Rudolph heads back to Pittsburgh after making 10 starts in four years with the team. He sports a career 61.5 percent completion rate with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Rudolph will try to push Mitch Trubisky for backup duties behind Kenny Pickett.

Rudolph is visiting the Steelers on Tuesday and could be re-signed, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The Steelers selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 Draft, and he appeared in 17 games over his first three seasons, completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,366 yards and a 16:11 TD:INT. The 27-year-old spent the 2022 campaign as Pittsburgh's No. 3 QB and dressed for one game but didn't record any snaps. If he re-signs, Rudolph figures to compete with undrafted rookie Tanner Morgan for a similar role behind Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky.

Herbert (shoulder) threw a football Monday, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Coming off winter surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Herbert hadn't resumed throwing as of late April. He's throwing now, which doesn't mean he'll be cleared for spring practices but does show he's progressing about as expected. Once he's ready to practice, Herbert will have a new offensive coordinator (Kellen Moore) and rookie first-round wideout (Quentin Johnston) on hand to help him thrive in his fourth NFL season.

DeNucci signed a contract with the Broncos on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

DiNucci most recently played for Seattle in the XFL, where he led the league in passing with 2,671 yards in 10 contests. The 26-year-old previously spent time in the NFL with the Cowboys, who selected him in the seventh round of the 2020 Draft. With Russell Wilson firmly in place as the starter and offseason addition Jarrett Stidham expected to hold down the No. 2 role, DiNucci will likely have an uphill battle to make the team's 53-man roster.

Dalton will work with the first-team offense during summer OTAs, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

This isn't entirely surprising given Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, has had essentially two weeks to look over the team's playbook. It wouldn't be a shock to hear head coach Frank Reich give the veteran Dalton every opportunity to win the starting job out of preseason, if only to let Young really get his feet wet at the professional level, but given the sheer draft capital invested in the Alabama product, it's hard to imagine Dalton will see first-string reps for very long.

The Patriots confirmed the signing of Cunningham as an undrafted free agent Friday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Cunningham bolsters the depth of a New England QB corps that also includes Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley. In that context, the Louisville product could have a hard time making the team's initial regular-season roster, but Cunningham does give the Patriots a dual-threat option to evaluate this summer, and if he doesn't make the cut, the 6-foot, 192-pounder is a candidate to land on New England's practice squad.

Coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Lance is completely healthy and probably "the best that we've (seen) him right now," NBC's Matt Maiocco reports. "When you watch [Lance's] feet, his timing, how he's throwing the ball, he's in such a better place now than he was last year at this time," Shanahan said Wednesday.

Shanahan still believes Lance can be "the man for a long time" but also said Brock Purdy (elbow) played at "an extremely high level" last season. GM John Lynch previously hinted at Purdy being the favorite to start once he's healthy, with Shanahan then noting Wednesday that he expects the second-year pro to be ready for training camp. Still, Lance just turned 23 in May and was the third overall pick only two years ago, so a strong showing at spring practices (for which Purdy will be sidelined) likely would be taken seriously. The same might be true, albeit to a lesser extent, for offseason addition Sam Darnold, who figures to get some first-team reps this spring after signing a one-year, $4.5 million contract that includes $3.5 million guaranteed. Another interesting note from Shanahan is that Lance's rookie-year finger injury impacted his throwing motion in Year 2 but shouldn't be a factor at this point after a fibula fracture in Week 2 last season afforded the young QB a long layoff from football. Shanahan and Lynch said in late April that Lance had completed his rehab from surgery and was 100 percent healthy.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that Darnold, Brock Purdy (elbow) and Trey Lance are "all capable of being franchise-like quarterbacks," David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Shanahan mentioned Purdy's eight starts last year as an example of "franchise-like" play, also noting that Lance is the "best we've had him right now" (after some injury struggles) while Darnold "hasn't been in the best situations" prior to San Francisco. Comments from both Shanahan and John Lynch hint at Purdy being the favorite to start once he's healthy, but his ongoing rehab from UCL surgery leaves Lance and Darnold to compete for first-team reps this spring/summer, giving both opportunities to make an impression in one of the league's more fluid QB rooms. Darnold turns 26 in June and is signed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract that includes $3.5 million guaranteed.

The Texans waived Perry on Thursday.

Perry will head back to waivers despite having been claimed by Houston back in March. The 24-year-old spent last season on the Jaguars' practice squad and will now try to catch on with another team for the upcoming campaign.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects that Purdy (elbow) will be ready for training camp, barring any setbacks, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Shanahan further noted that Purdy has been making throwing motions with a towel and is expected to be able to throw a ball in June. Assuming Purdy continues to progress as expected, he'll be the favorite to lead the dynamic 49ers offense to begin the 2023 campaign after an impressive rookie season. That would leave Trey Lance in an uncertain situation, particularly because the team has acknowledged receiving trade calls regarding him this offseason.