-
NFL Nation
At this level within the NFL offseason, we all know many of the massive names who’ve missed OTAs, and (for essentially the most half) what they’re angling for. Some need to receives a commission, some want a trade, however for some the motives are nonetheless a thriller.
Even amid all of the tumultuous information, there are nonetheless shocking omissions for OTAs that would have a big effect on groups — and probably result in fines if the gamers miss obligatory minicamp beginning Tuesday (save for the Chicago Bears, who held their minicamp final week with no holdouts). In line with the NFL collective bargaining settlement, gamers are topic to a $17,462 positive in the event that they miss sooner or later of obligatory minicamp, then a $34,925 positive in the event that they miss a second day. If a participant misses the third and last day, the positive is $52,381.
However gamers are circumventing these fines by exhibiting up for practices and easily not collaborating.
This is the analyst our NFL Nation reporters have been listening to about OTA absences and what to anticipate at minicamp.
Leap to a participant:
Cousins | Cook | Hendrickson
Stewart | Parsons | Alexander
Jenkins | Ramsey | Smith | Watt | Metcalf
Reddick | Lattimore | McLaurin | Tunsil
Standing: Current at a couple of OTAs; didn’t practice
Cousins needs to be a beginning quarterback this season. That is not going to occur in Atlanta, the place Michael Penix Jr. changed him because the starter final season.
Cousins’ desire is to be launched, however the Falcons will not do this. He is owed $27.5 million in 2025 whether or not he is on the roster or reduce, and the group would somewhat have him as a backup than be saddled with lifeless cash. Atlanta would like to discover a commerce, however provided that one other group picks up a major chunk of that assured cash, which features a $10 million bonus in 2026. Cousins additionally has a no-trade clause. — Marc Raimondi
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices whereas searching for a brand new contract
The Payments rewarded three members of the 2022 draft class — WR Khalil Shakir, LB Terrel Bernard and CB Christian Benford — with new offers this offseason. Prepare dinner, nevertheless, was not one in every of them though his representatives had discussions with the Payments. The 2 sides weren’t shut as he enters the fourth and last yr of his contract.
Prepare dinner, 25, is coming off the most effective season of his profession — 1,009 dashing yards,16 touchdowns on the bottom (tied for the league excessive) — and the group has acknowledged his significance. “He was clearly enormous for us final yr,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady mentioned. — Alaina Getzenberg
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices; vowed not to play without new contract
Hendrickson acquired a textual content from coach Zac Taylor reminding him concerning the positive schedule for gamers who skip minicamp, which triggered Hendrickson’s media tour throughout offseason exercises.
He’s searching for a brand new contract and has no intention of taking part in the ultimate yr of his present deal.
Hendrickson had been granted permission to hunt commerce presents.
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices whereas awaiting new language in rookie contract
It is a distinctive state of affairs as a result of Stewart is not technically underneath contract. Nevertheless, it successfully shall be a hold-in if he misses obligatory camp as a result of the rookie has not signed his participation waiver and isn’t partaking in drills due to a contract dispute, in response to a supply acquainted with the negotiations.
If the 2 sides can agree on the contract language, it ought to easy issues over with the group’s first-round choose. — Ben Child
1:21
Why Graziano suspects massive paydays may come for star edge rushers
Dan Graziano evaluates the contract panorama for the NFL’s prime go rushers, together with Trey Hendrickson, Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt.
Standing: Seeking contract extension
Parsons was out and in of the offseason program, however was not a part of the OTAs. He mentioned he shall be on the minicamp, however it’s not recognized how a lot on-field work — if any — he’ll do.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned Parsons has remained linked to the group even when he has not attended the whole lot. Maybe exhibiting as much as the minicamp can jump-start contract talks. — Todd Archer
Standing: Is getting released
Information broke Monday that the Packers plan to release Alexander. Each side have been annoyed when final season ended, with Alexander refusing to remark as a result of he wasn’t certain whether or not he’d be again with the group, and with the Packers upset that he performed in solely seven video games for the second straight season.
The edges had tried to come back to a revised contract however could not attain a deal, a supply mentioned, resulting in the Packers’ resolution to maneuver on from Alexander earlier than minicamp.
Standing: Skipped the entire offseason program
In line with sources, Jenkins was OK with the Packers transferring him from guard to heart, however he wished his contract adjusted to guard in opposition to the lack of future revenue (facilities are usually paid lower than guards). Although the Packers do not often renegotiate contracts with two years remaining, as Jenkins has on his deal, maybe they might provide to ensure some or all of his remaining cash contemplating there aren’t any ensures left on his contract. — Rob Demovsky
Standing: The team is seeking a trade
Ramsey is on his means out of South Florida after simply two seasons.
Common supervisor Chris Grier mentioned in April that the group was actively seeking to transfer Ramsey, however the monetary ramifications have been too nice to commerce him earlier than June 1. Now that the calendar has turned, a commerce may materialize quickly.
Standing: Searching for new contract
Smith signed a two-year, $8.4 million take care of Miami final offseason and turned in the most effective statistical season by a Dolphins tight finish in historical past (88 receptions, 884 yards, 8 TDs). Now he is in search of a pay improve, and though Miami briefly entertained a trade, that appears unlikely to occur. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices whereas negotiating extension
It is too early to say Watt is certainly holding out, however one of many league’s premier go rushers and the Steelers are engaged on an extension as he enters the ultimate yr of his contract.
Although he hasn’t talked publicly for the reason that finish of the season, Watt appeared to telegraph that negotiations aren’t going to his liking when he posted an image to his Instagram story holding up a peace register a Steelers jersey. With Cleveland’s Myles Garrett signing a file $40 million-a-year extension earlier this offseason, Watt’s worth seemingly retains going up.
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices
Though he attended greater than half of the primary two offseason exercise phases, new Steelers receiver Metcalf wasn’t noticed at any of the group’s OTA practices. That possible will not be the case at minicamp with Aaron Rodgers now within the fold. — Brooke Pryor
Standing: Skipped collaborating in OTAs
Given his prolonged holdout with the New York Jets final yr, Reddick’s lack of participation in Buccaneers OTAs raised some eyebrows. The group did not specific concern, as head coach Todd Bowles mentioned he is protecting tabs on Reddick by means of place coach Larry Foote. — Jenna Laine
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices
Washington acquired Lattimore in a midseason commerce with New Orleans, however a hamstring harm restricted him to 2 regular-season video games (and all three playoff video games) with the Commanders.
Lattimore has solely $2 million in assured cash left in every of the ultimate two years of his contract, however this seems extra about what he has all the time completed somewhat than angling for an extension. He skipped the voluntary OTA periods whereas taking part in for the Saints as properly, together with every of the previous two years.
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices
McLaurin, coming off his most efficient season — with 82 receptions, 1,096 yards and a career-best 13 touchdowns (one fewer than he had the earlier three years mixed) — is coming into the ultimate yr of his contract. The 2 sides have been discussing an extension however haven’t struck a deal.
McLaurin skipped voluntary periods in addition to the obligatory minicamp in 2022 earlier than signing a three-year extension.
He had been attending all offseason exercises till the week of Might 20.
Coach Dan Quinn just isn’t involved. “Terry’s had a fantastic offseason,” he mentioned.
Receiver Deebo Samuel, who held out for a number of days early within the 2022 coaching camp with San Francisco, mentioned, “I perceive the enterprise facet of the issues, and when he stopped coming, I perceive his facet of the story.”
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices
Washington acquired Tunsil in a March commerce, and he has proven as much as a few of the voluntary offseason work. However he typically missed voluntary work whereas taking part in in Houston, so it wasn’t a giant shock that he didn’t attend Washington’s first OTA practices.
His presence would assist, contemplating he is with a brand new group and there is a good likelihood he’ll be taking part in subsequent to Brandon Coleman, who just isn’t solely a brand new teammate but in addition new to left guard within the NFL.
However Tunsil’s monitor file of in-season success will alleviate considerations. — John Keim