NFL Player News

Fields, after a Friday trade with the Carolina Panthers, will now have a true No. 1 wide receiver in DJ Moore.

During the 2022 season, Fields' top receiving options were Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet. With three seasons of at least 1,157 receiving yards since 2019, Fields now has a star receiver who may not have reached his ceiling due to the bad offenses he was on with the Panthers. We've already seen Fields rush for 1,143 yards. Now, It's likely the Bears are ready to open up the passing attack to see if their quarterback can be an elite passer as well. Due to his uncertainly as a passer, Fields still carries risk, but it's reasonable to view him as a top-eight fantasy option, with a higher ceiling, in 2023 drafts.

The Dolphins have informed Tagovailoa that they plan to pick up his fifth-year contract option, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Adam Schefter of ESPN report.

As a result, Tagovailoa is in line to be guaranteed $23.2 million for the 2024 season. By picking up his option, the Dolphins are essentially demonstrating their confidence that the No. 5 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft can effectively helm the team's offense in 2023, and beyond. The 25-year-old is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he was hampered by concussion issues that limited him to 13 contests. Since the conclusion the regular season, however, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN relays that Tagovailoa has cleared the league's concussion protocol, putting the QB in a position to return to football activities once the Dolphins re-take the field.

The Cowboys have restructured Prescott's contract, a move that saves the franchise about $22 million against its 2023 salary cap, Nick Eatman of the team's official site reports.

The report adds that guard Zack Martin also had his deal restructured, with the contract conversions designed to get the Cowboys under the NFL salary cap ahead of free agency. Prescott is coming off a 2022 season in which he logged 2,860 passing yards to go along with 23 touchdowns and a career-high 15 interceptions in 12 games.

Purdy underwent surgery on his right elbow Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Per the report, the procedure entailed ulnar collateral ligament repair in the QB's throwing elbow with an internal brace, with the expectation being that Purdy can resume throwing in about three months. Beyond that, it remains to be seen when the 23-year-old signal-caller can resume practicing fully and his status for the start of the coming NFL season has yet to be determined. In Purdy's looming absence, 2021 first-rounder Trey Lance -- who is bouncing back from an ankle injury that derailed his 2022 campaign -- is in line to work with the 49ers' first-team offense once on-field activities resume.

The Saints offered Winston a restructured deal on Friday that would allow him to stick with the team for the 2023 season, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports.

If Winston were released as a post-June 1 cut the Saints would save $12.8 million against the cap, but it appears the team is open to keeping him in house as a backup to new top quarterback Derek Carr. The 29-year-old was relegated to backup duties behind Andy Dalton after beginning the 2022 season in the starting role, due in part to the fact that he suffered four fractures in his back Week 1. New Orleans would likely cut Winston if he doesn't agree to terms on a contract restructure, meaning he could still could opt to test his market as a free agent.

After meeting with Rodgers earlier this week, the Jets are reportedly becoming more confident in their chances of securing the quarterback, according to ESPN's Dianna Russini.

The report suggests that the Jets and Packers have had conversations with regard to potential trade compensation in the event that the 39-year-old decides that he wants to move on from the franchise that drafted him in 2005, but at this stage, Rodgers has yet to make any announcements regarding his intentions for the coming NFL season. With that in mind, it still remains possible that Rodgers could either elect to remain with Green Bay or retire.

Trask faces some challenges in his quest to become the Buccaneers' starting quarterback in 2023, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

General manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles unsurprisingly gave Trask public votes of confidence when speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, but the largely unproven 2021 second-round pick has some hurdles to clear in his bid to succeed Tom Brady as the Buccaneers' starting signal-caller. Stroud points out that Trask will not only be tasked with learning a new offense, but will also be working with a first-time play-caller in new offensive coordinator Dave Canales as well as a rookie position coach in Thad Lewis. Additionally, a young but experienced veteran such as Drew Lock or Baker Mayfield is likely to eventually be added to the quarterback room, which could be a challenge Trask isn't ready to overcome.

The Texans claimed Perry off waivers from the Jaguars on Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

After being cut by Jacksonville earlier this week, Perry was able to find a new home within the AFC South. He'll try to push for a spot on the 53-man roster spot this offseason, assuming he even makes it to training camp with the Texans. Perry has never attempted an NFL pass since entering the professional ranks last spring.

Jones and the Giants agreed Tuesday on a four-year contract, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Per Pelissero, negotiations on Jones' deal came down to the wire ahead of the league deadline to assign franchise tags. The contract is reportedly worth $160 million, with $35 million in incentives. Now that the team has come to terms with Jones, the Giants are in line to use their tag on running back Saquon Barkley.

Perry was waived by the Jaguars on Tuesday.

Perry spent the entirety of the past season on the Jaguars' practice squad and was not elevated for a single game. Despite signing a reserve/future contract back in January, the 2022 undrafted free agent's release should not come as a big surprise as he was buried on the depth chart behind Trevor Lawrence, C.J. Beathard, and Nathan Rourke. Perry will now test the open market and will hope to find a better opportunity elsewhere.