NFL

Schefter made this point while speaking on NFL Live on ESPN. The NFL’s premier insider was confident the Browns would be drafting a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick a month ago. The team hasn’t done anything at quarterback outside of swapping Dorian Thompson-Robinson for Kenny Pickett in a trade. Still, some quarterback dominoes have since fallen and the Browns’ front office may want to get another year closer to the end of Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed contract before spinning the wheel at quarterback again. If that’s the case, the only realistic options for Cleveland are Carter and Colorado’s Travis Hunter.

Wilson signed with the Giants on Tuesday, inking a one-year deal with $10.5 million guaranteed. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is loaded with incentives. Russ can make up to another $10.5 million via a variety of incentives and escalators. Because of this, the Giants’ front office likely told Wilson he would get the first crack at the starting gig when he signed. Wilson is joined by Tommy DeVito and fellow free agent addition Jameis Winston on the roster. Winston is on a two-year deal and is being paid like a backup while DeVito’s time in the spotlight should be over. Barring a surprise via the 2025 NFL Draft, Wilson should be penciled in as the Giants’ Week 1 starter.

Boyle began the 2024 season on Miami’s practice squad but was quickly called into action after a slew of quarterback injuries hit the team. He didn’t make any starts but did attempt 26 passes, which he turned into 153 yards before being released. The Giants then found themselves in a similar situation and signed Boyle. He completed 12-of-24 passes for 123 yards, one touchdown, and one pick. With five career touchdowns to 13 interceptions, it’s baffling to see teams still giving Boyle chances, even as a deep backup. Needless to say, Boyle’s agent deserves a raise.

Originally a sixth-round pick with the Ravens, Proche has spent the past two years with the Browns. He played primarily on special teams in Cleveland, catching just three passes for 21 yards across 19 games. Proche will be fighting for a roster spot in Tennessee this summer.

Adofo-Mensah said the Vikings considered Aaron Rodgers before telling reporters he was happy with the team’s quarterback room. He, of course, added the “right now” caveat, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team add a veteran to the mix at some point. Minnesota only has Brett Rypien on the roster after J.J. McCarthy. On the second-year quarterback, Adofo-Mensah said McCarthy has met the bar “at every checkpoint, whether it was the draft process or practice until the injury, or the offseason now.” It’s not the most enthusiastic endorsement, but leaving free agency without a notable backup is a more emphatic endorsement than anything Adofo-Mensah could have said on the podium. McCarthy is currently recovering from the torn meniscus he suffered just before the start of the season. All signs point to him being ready to take on the starting role in Week 1.

Mays was a restrcited free agent and the Panthers chose to tender him at the original round level. As a former sixth-round pick, Mays was then allowed to look for an offer as a free agent. The Panthers could then match that offer or let him walk in exchange for a sixth-round pick from his new team. With no takers on the open market, Mays returns for a camp battle with Austin Corbett for the starting center job this summer.

Burton has spent the past two years in Denver, appearing in all 34 regular season games. He operates as the team’s primary fullback but is also a special teams ace, logging 584 special teams snaps as a Bronco. On offense, Burton turned 17 touches into 73 yards and two scores last year.

The proposal would move the spot of touchbacks from the 30-to the 35-yard line in hopes of increasing the rate of returns. The league boosted its kickoff return rate from 21.8 percent in 2023 to 32.8 percent in 2024 by introducing the dynamic kickoff last season. It still was the second-lowest return rate in NFL history as only 21.5 percent kicks landed in the 20-yard landing zone. Any proposed rules changes require the approval of 24 owners. The league’s annual meetings will be held next week in Palm Beach, Florida.

Rodgers’ recent visit with the Steelers reportedly went well. Smith joined Rodgers, and they “watched film together and chatted about their thoughts,” Anderson said. “From Pittsburgh’s viewpoint, I heard they walked away that day feeling really good about the vibe of the meeting, per a league source.” If he indeed signs with the Steelers, Rodgers would helm Smith’s massively run heavy offense, one that was 4.3 percent below its expected pass rate in 2024, the fourth-lowest rate in the NFL. It would be a far different situation than the one Rodgers, 41, had in New York, where he appointed offensive coaches, including OC Nathaniel Hackett.