Obligatory minicamps began Tuesday, which additionally marks the start of holdout season for gamers looking for contract extensions.
Gamers who maintain out of minicamp are topic to fines. According to NFL.com’s Kevin Patra, gamers will be fined as much as $104,768 in the event that they miss all three days of minicamp. Gamers generally are keen to pay the fines if it results in a staff caving and giving them a brand new deal.
With that in thoughts, this is a rating of the key holdouts from most to least regarding:
1. Cincinnati Bengals edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter
Hendrickson and the Bengals aren’t in a superb place. In Might, the 30-year-old pass-rusher told The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. he will not play on the final yr of his deal, which is ready to pay him $15.8M. He mentioned he was “disenchanted” with contract negotiations a number of occasions throughout a 25-minute dialog.
The Bengals, in the meantime, do not appear keen to budge. On the league conferences in April, Cincinnati government vice chairman Katie Blackburn mentioned, “A few of it’s on [Hendrickson] to be completely satisfied sooner or later” (h/t Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer).
The Bengals have allowed Hendrickson to hunt a commerce, however extending him could be a greater transfer for the staff. Final season, he had a league-leading 17.5 sacks in 17 regular-season video games and earned a first-team All-Professional nod.
With out Hendrickson, Cincinnati’s pass-rush would falter. Edge-rusher Joseph Ossai completed second on the staff in sacks (5 in 17 video games) final season. The Bengals took Texas A&M edge-rusher Shemar Stewart with choose No. 17 within the NFL Draft, however he logged solely 4.5 sacks in three seasons with the Aggies.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Stewart nonetheless hasn’t signed his rookie contract and is holding in at minicamp, giving Hendrickson much more leverage.
2. Washington Commanders huge receiver Terry McLaurin, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini
In a story published Tuesday, Russini and The Athletic’s Ben Standig reported McLaurin has grown “pissed off” with contract negotiations and has skipped OTAs. He did the identical earlier than he signed a three-year, $68.36M extension in June 2022.
The Commanders acquired WR Deebo Samuel Sr. in a commerce with the San Francisco 49ers in March, nevertheless it’s simple to argue McLaurin is the higher participant.
In 15 video games with the 49ers final season, Samuel had 51 receptions for 670 yards and three landing catches. McLaurin, in the meantime, had 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 TD catches.
The Commanders appear to appreciate McLaurin is a precious weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels. In March, Washington normal supervisor Adam Peters told the media, “We wish to make Terry a Commander for a very long time.”
With the Commanders feeling McLaurin is a key member of the franchise, do not be stunned in the event that they signal him quickly.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo
On a May episode of his podcast, longtime Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly mentioned the staff has made a “substantial” provide for Watt, however “it is most likely not” what he needs.
Watt — coming into the ultimate yr of a four-year, $112.01M deal — might need a deal that pays him the identical or greater than Cleveland Browns edge-rusher Myles Garrett. In March, Garrett — 2023 Defensive Participant of the Yr — signed a four-year, $160M extension with the Browns.
Like Garrett, Watt is an elite pass-rusher. He gained 2021 DPOY and has earned 4 first-team All-Professional nods in eight seasons with the Steelers.
Pittsburgh has remained assured it’s going to signal Watt. At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, Steelers normal supervisor Omar Khan mentioned he is “hopeful” Watt will spend the remainder of his profession with the Steelers, as former Pittsburgh huge receiver Hines Ward and security Troy Polamalu did.
The Steelers might have to extend their provide to signal Watt, however Khan’s feedback recommend they’re keen to do this.
