Jaguars’ signing of QB Beathard opens door for potential Minshew deal

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard signed a two-year contract with Jacksonville on Wednesday, giving the Jaguars an experienced backup if they trade Gardner Minshew.

The deal is worth $5 million and could total more with incentives, according to a person with knowledge of negotiations. NFL Network first reported contract terms.

Responding to a question about Minshew potentially being on the block last week, Jaguars coach Urban Meyer said “at this point, no.”

Signing Beathard could change that. He started 12 games over four years in San Francisco, throwing for 3,469 yards, with 18 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. Jacksonville is expected to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s NFL draft.

FALCONS: Offensive lineman Matt Gono signed his $3.284 million restricted free-agent tender Thursday. Gono played in all 16 games last season and made four starts. The Falcons wanted to protect Gono, who started at right tackle and left guard, by placing a high tender on a formerly undrafted player. Gono originally signed with the Falcons as a free agent in 2018.

CARDINALS: Arizona added cornerback Malcolm Butler on a one-year deal in an effort to bolster a thin secondary and also traded center Mason Cole to the Vikings for a sixth-round draft pick. Butler, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, comes to the Cardinals about a week after the team lost cornerback Patrick Peterson to the Vikings.

JETS: New York added experience and depth on both sides of the ball with their latest moves in free agency, signing former Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry and former Falcons and 49ers running back Tevin Coleman.

PATRIOTS: Running back James White re-signed, bringing a key veteran back to New England. The deal is for one year and will pay a reported $2.5 million. White has played his entire seven-year NFL career with the Patriots.