NFL training camps have arrived, but not every player on an NFL roster plans to attend. Players with unresolved contract situations will often hold out of training camp, but the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement has made holdouts more difficult. Veterans under contract are required to be fined $50,000 for each missed training camp session, and unlike previous seasons, teams can no longer forgive those fines if the player eventually reports.
Let’s run through this year’s potential training camp absences, beginning with two players who have already indicated they won’t be participating in camp.
Confirmed NFL Training Camp Holdouts
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley has already made it clear that he won’t be present when the Giants begin training camp next week. After being assigned the franchise tag in March, Barkley and his camp negotiated with New York for several months in advance of the NFL’s July 17 franchise tag extension deadline.
However, the two sides failed to reach a long-term deal, so Barkley will be required to spend the 2023 campaign on a $10.1 franchise tender — if he plays this season, that is.
Reports have indicated that Barkley is seriously considering sitting out for regular-season action, which would entail sacrificing more than $560,000 for each game he misses. Barkley, a former No. 2 overall draft pick, has already made $38.6 million during his NFL career, so he could be willing to take the financial hit.
Barkley has not signed his franchise tag, meaning he’s not technically under contract. As such, the Giants do not have the right to fine him for missing training camp.
Barkley could use the next several weeks to convince New York to alter his one-year deal, perhaps by increasing his 2023 salary or adding a no-franchise tag clause for 2024. But it’s entirely possible that Barkley won’t be on the field until Week 1, and perhaps not even then.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Like Barkley, Josh Jacobs also failed to reach an extension after being handed the franchise tag earlier this offseason. Negotiations between Jacobs and the Raiders appear to made significant progress, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Jacobs was waiting in his car in the team’s parking lot on Monday afternoon, waiting to sign a new deal if it was completed.
Jacobs cannot be fined for skipping training camp because he hasn’t inked his franchise tender, while he’s also made noise about missing regular-season action. However, because Jacobs was chosen later in the first round than Barkley (and had his fifth-year option declined), the Raiders RB has only made $12 million in the NFL. Thus, he might be less amenable to forfeiting $500,000+ weekly for sitting out of the regular season.
Potential NFL Training Camp Holdouts
We aren’t sure if the following players will hold out of training camp, but many did skip mandatory minicamps earlier this summer. Because all these players are under contract, they would be fined if absent from camp. However, they could stage a “hold-in” by reporting to their club’s facility but not participating in any workout sessions that could potentially lead to injury.
Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
After watching the defensive tackle market explode this offseason, Chris Jones has every right to ask for a new contract. Over the past several months, Quinnen Williams, Jeffery Simmons, Daron Payne, and Dexter Lawrence all landed extensions worth at least $22.5 million per year, while free agent Javon Hargrave received $21 million annually from the 49ers.
Jones, 29, is entering a contract season with the Chiefs and is scheduled to carry a $28.3 million cap charge in 2023, the eighth-highest figure in the league. Jones, who led all defensive tackles with 97 pressures a year ago, is reportedly aiming to become the NFL’s second-highest-paid DT — and that price tag just went up.
Nick Bosa, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa’s 2023 campaign is covered by his fifth-year option, which will pay him nearly $18 million. But after posting 34 sacks over the past two seasons, Bosa could have his sights set on becoming not only the NFL’s highest-paid edge defender but the top-paid defensive player overall.
Pushing past T.J. Watt — who earns $28 million per year at the top of the edge market — shouldn’t be much of an issue for Bosa, who won’t turn 26 years old until October. But can get ahead of Aaron Donald, who collects $31.67 million annually from the Rams? It’s a drastic leap, but if any player has earned that type of salary, it’s Bosa.
Danielle Hunter, EDGE, Minnesota Vikings
While the Vikings have moved on from veterans like Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Za’Darius Smith this offseason, they’ve held onto pass rusher Danielle Hunter. After posting 10.5 sacks in 2022, Hunter is angling for a new contract, which led to Minnesota receiving trade calls earlier this year. However, ESPN reported in June that “no serious trade talks” had taken place.
Hunter has a cap charge of $13.12 million in 2023, but he’s only scheduled to collect $5.5 million in cash. That’s because the Vikings already restructured his contract a number of times in the past in order to move money up. It’s unclear if Minnesota will be willing to rework his deal again.
Connor Williams, C, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins signed Connor Williams to a two-year deal last year and subsequently converted him from center to guard. The 26-year-old started all 17 games and played like one of the better free agent offensive line signings of 2022.
Now, he’s trying to capitalize on his success. Williams, who missed Miami’s minicamp, is scheduled to make $7 million in cash next season, while his average annual value places him eighth among centers. However, he’s only guaranteed $2 million in 2023 and likely wants additional assurances and potentially more years added to his contract.
Lawrence Guy, DT, New England Patriots
Unlike Jones, Hunter, and Williams, Lawerence Guy still has two years remaining on his current contract. Guy inked a four-year, $11.5 million deal with the Patriots in 2021. He is scheduled to earn $2 million this season but could earn another $1.25 million by playing 55% of New England’s defensive snaps.
Guy has been with the Patriots for six seasons and started 48 games. New England is often willing to work out agreements with veteran players who have been around for a while, and it will be surprising if Guy can’t figure out a new deal with the Patriots before or during training camp.
Unsigned NFL Rookies
Twenty NFL rookies are still unsigned as 2023 training camps get underway. Most of these players will likely agree to contracts before they’re due to report to camp, but several sticking points remain.
As CBS Sports’ Joel Corry recently outlined, unsigned rookies chosen early in the first round are likely concerned with two contractual issues. First, the players at the top of the draft — like Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud — probably want their signing bonuses paid in lump sums. Each of the last four No. 1 overall selections received lump sum payments.
Second, first-round selections could be fighting their teams on offset language, which allows clubs to recoup cash in the event the player is eventually released and signs elsewhere. The Jaguars didn’t require either of their last two No. 1 overall picks — Travon Walker and Trevor Lawrence — to include offset clauses in their contracts, but most NFL teams do.
Meanwhile, unsigned players chosen on Day 2 or 3 are likely searching for additional guaranteed money. Rookie contract values are slotted, which typically makes negotiations a breeze, but agents can push to secure more guarantees for their clients.
Round 1
- No. 1: Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers
- No. 2: C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
- No. 4: Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
- No. 5: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks
- No. 15: Will McDonald IV, EDGE, New York Jets
- No. 16: Christian Gonzalez, CB, New England Patriots
Round 2
- No. 32: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
- No. 33: Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
- No. 40: Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, New Orleans Saints
- No. 41: B.J. Ojulari, EDGE, Arizona Cardinals
- No. 42: Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers
- No. 43: Joe Tippmann, C, New York Jets
- No. 44: Julius Brents, CB, Indianapolis Colts
- No. 45: Brian Branch, S, Detroit Lions
- No. 46: Keion White, EDGE, New England Patriots
- No. 47: Jartavius Martin, CB, Washington Commanders
- No. 48: Cody Mauch, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- No. 50: Cam Smith, CB, Miami Dolphins
- No. 52: Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Round 4
- No. 108: Blake Freeland, OL, Indianapolis Colts