NFL training camp is fast approaching, meaning there is little time for teams to strike deals with players seeking new contracts before they potentially hold out. With teams across the league soon to be back on the field, who are the most likely NFL training camp holdouts?
We examined the league and came up with seven players worth monitoring.
Which Players Might Hold Out of Training Camp?
Some names on this list have been part of big offseason storylines, while others have begun to bubble on the surface. With each player seemingly deserving and ready for a new deal, there is a reality where not everyone gets what they’re looking for ahead of training camp.
We dissect each situation and keep our eye on these ever-evolving situations.
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
This goes for many of these wide receivers listed: With Justin Jeffersons’ deal now inked, the rest of these guys’ situations shouldn’t be all that difficult.
Jefferson received an average annual salary of $35 million, and with that benchmark now set, teams will use it as the floor or ceiling when negotiating new deals with star receivers.
CeeDee Lamb already sat out of mandatory minicamp, and rumor has it that he may be willing to do the same for training camp, setting up an intriguing standoff for the Dallas Cowboys. The young wide receiver is clearly a focal point of the Cowboys’ offense and is Dak Prescott’s No. 1 target by a wide margin.
MORE: Malik Hooker Believes CeeDee Lamb Should Be Paid Before Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons
The front office’s idea of dragging this deal out longer than necessary is foolish, but as we close in on the start of training camp, this is a newer situation that is developing and worth monitoring.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
The Brandon Aiyuk saga is well-documented at this point.
With cryptic social media posts and overwhelming support from the organization itself, this situation’s ups and downs have dominated much of the offseason.
The bottom line is that Aiyuk wants to be paid at a top level, and the San Francisco 49ers seem willing to pay him, just maybe not at the level he wants to be at.
There seems to be some real tension there right now, with Ayiuk going as far as listing out possible suitors outside of San Francisco.
MORE: Brandon Aiyuk Discusses Potential Landing Spots Amid Trade Rumors
This is a situation that will eventually come to a boiling point, and training camp may be that time.
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase skipped OTAs and is ready for a new deal. While the situation in Cincy seems OK right now, with both parties stating everything is copacetic, if Chase were a no-show for training camp, that would surely change things.
Chase does have the fifth-year option still in play, unlike some on this list, making his situation far less pressing than others. However, the situation is still evolving and may create a problem if the Cincinnati Bengals don’t play this right.
Chase has earned Pro Bowl honors in all three of his seasons, racking up 268 receptions for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 games, and has done everything asked of him to be worthy of a new deal.
As mentioned before with the Jefferson deal, this seems like something that should move along a lot quicker than it has, and the fact that it hasn’t could spell trouble for a training camp holdout.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Another Bengals wide receiver is on this list, and Tee Higgins’ situation feels more dire than his teammate’s.
Higgins has already requested a trade this offseason, and with his situation being more volatile, there is a real chance that there could be a disruption in training camp.
Considering Tyler Boyd is no longer on the roster and Chase is looking for a deal, the Bengals’ front office is not in a good situation with their two best pass-catching options having contract disputes.
Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell inked a four-year, $112 million deal in April, and that has set the groundwork for what Tristan Wirfs may be looking for.
Quality offensive line play is hard to come by, and when you have the talent and pedigree of Wirfs, you should want to be compensated handsomely as well.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hope to take next season to another level after bringing back Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. Getting a new deal done for Wirfs before it becomes a problem is something worth locking in for.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Running backs and their contracts are always interesting situations as the league changes how it views them. Teams have begun to look at cheaper, drafted talent to fill out their running back rooms, leaving veterans like Kamara in peculiar situations.
Kamara is set to make $10.2 million in base salary, with just $1 million guaranteed this season. His base salary in 2025 will be $22.4 million with zero guarantees. He is looking for more stability and may opt to sit out training camp, as he did during minicamp.
It is unclear how much leverage he has, but Kamara may look to escalate things if he doesn’t feel like he is in the right situation.
Haason Reddick, New York Jets
Part of the reason the Eagles moved Haason Reddick to the New York Jets was that he was looking for a new contract. Fast-forward to the present day, and with him now in New York, not much has changed.
Reddick is one of the league’s best pass rushers and wants to be paid as such. While Aaron Rodgers dominated much of the storylines for missing mandatory mini-camp, Reddick was also absent.
MORE: Haason Reddick Is Where?! Pro Bowler Seen in Japan Amid Jets Holdout
It’s clear that Reddick and his camp are sending a message, and if a new deal isn’t hashed out before training camp commences, the pass rusher may be a textbook case of a training camp holdout.