With May about to bleed into June, it's that time of the NFL offseason calendar when even backup quarterbacks become headlines.
Coming off Memorial Day Weekend, several backup QBs are in the news.
The Chicago Bears initially announced they had waived quarterback Connor Shaw on Tuesday to make room for Victor Cruz. With Mitchell Trubisky and Mike Glennon requiring as many snaps as possible, the Bears did not appear to need fourth quarterback behind veteran Mark Sanchez -- at least as long as Sanchez stayed healthy.
Sanchez, however, suffered a knee injury during Tuesday's OTA session, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The injury isn't believed to be severe, Rapoport added. Shaw will likely stay in Chicago until Sanchez is healthy.
Shaw missed the entire 2016 season after suffering a broken leg in the third game of the preseason. The 25-year-old South Carolina product made one career start in 2014 as an undrafted rookie with the Cleveland Browns. Shaw has flashed passing acumen and mobility in the pocket during preseason games the past two years.
The Bears ended up cutting wideout Jhajuan Seales to make room for Cruz.
Here's the other player news we are tracking on Tuesday:
- Veteran quarterback Thad Lewis, who tore his ACL in August, has been medically cleared, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. The nomadic quarterback signed with the San Francisco 49ers last year, but tore up his knee in the first preseason game. The 29-year-old gunslinger has started six games in his seven-year career. He's spent time with the Rams, Browns, Bills, Texans and Eagles before joining the 49ers last year. Per Rapoport, Lewis will have a market as a veteran addition to a quarterback room.
- While he's got a starter's fame, Colin Kaepernick remains without a job. His best bet for a gig at this stage appears to be as a potential backup to Russell Wilson in Seattle. While Kaepernick met with the Seahawks last week, no deal is imminent, Rapoport reported.
- The Steelers announced they signed safety Daimion Stafford and long snapper Kameron Canaday.
- The Rams have added a third quarterback onto their roster, signing South Carolina product Dylan Thompson.
- The Vikings signed third-round pick Pat Elflein, the team announced.
- The Jets announced the signing of wideout Chris Harper, and they waived tight end Braedon Bowman.
- The Browns inked a four-year extension with linebacker Christian Kirksey, the team announced. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the deal is worth $38 million.
