At this level within the NFL offseason, we all know a lot of the huge names who’ve missed OTAs, and (for probably the most half) what they’re angling for. Some wish to receives a commission, some desire a commerce, however for some the motives are nonetheless a thriller.
Even amid all of the tumultuous information, there are nonetheless stunning omissions for OTAs that would have a huge impact on groups — and doubtlessly result in fines if the gamers miss necessary minicamp beginning Tuesday (save for the Chicago Bears, who held their minicamp final week with no holdouts). Based on the NFL collective bargaining settlement, gamers are topic to a $17,462 effective in the event that they miss someday of necessary minicamp, then a $34,925 effective in the event that they miss a second day. If a participant misses the third and remaining day, the effective is $52,381.
However gamers are circumventing these fines by exhibiting up for practices and easily not taking part.
This is the newest our NFL Nation reporters have been listening to about OTA absences and what to anticipate at minicamp.
Leap to a participant:Cousins | Cook dinner | HendricksonStewart | Parsons | AlexanderJenkins | Ramsey | Smith | Watt | MetcalfReddick | Lattimore | McLaurin | Tunsil
Standing: Current at just a few OTAs; did not follow
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 try this. He is owed $27.5 million in 2025 whether or not he is on the roster or lower, and the group would slightly have him as a backup than be saddled with useless cash. Atlanta would like to discover a commerce, however provided that one other workforce picks up a big 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 in search of 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. Cook 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 remaining 12 months of his contract.
Cook dinner, 25, is coming off the very best season of his profession — 1,009 speeding yards,16 touchdowns on the bottom (tied for the league excessive) — and the workforce has acknowledged his significance. “He was clearly big for us final 12 months,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady stated. — Alaina Getzenberg
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices; vowed to not play with out new contract
Hendrickson obtained a textual content from coach Zac Taylor reminding him in regards to the effective schedule for gamers who skip minicamp, which triggered Hendrickson’s media tour throughout offseason exercises.
He’s in search of a brand new contract and has no intention of taking part in the ultimate 12 months of his present deal.
Hendrickson had been granted permission to hunt commerce affords.
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices whereas awaiting new language in rookie contract
It is a distinctive scenario as a result of Stewart is not technically underneath contract. Nonetheless, it successfully might be a hold-in if he misses necessary 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 keeping with a supply conversant in the negotiations.
If the 2 sides can agree on the contract language, it ought to easy issues over with the workforce’s first-round decide. — Ben Child
1:21
Why Graziano suspects huge paydays might come for star edge rushers
Dan Graziano evaluates the contract panorama for the NFL’s prime move rushers, together with Trey Hendrickson, Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt.
Standing: Searching for contract extension
Parsons was out and in of the offseason program, however was not a part of the OTAs. He stated he might be on the minicamp, however it’s not identified how a lot on-field work — if any — he’ll do.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer stated Parsons has remained linked to the workforce even when he has not attended every thing. Maybe exhibiting as much as the minicamp can jump-start contract talks. — Todd Archer
Standing: Is getting launched
Information broke Monday that the Packers plan to launch Alexander. Either side had been pissed off 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 workforce, and with the Packers disenchanted that he performed in solely seven video games for the second straight season.
The edges had tried to return to a revised contract however could not attain a deal, a supply stated, resulting in the Packers’ determination to maneuver on from Alexander earlier than minicamp.
Standing: Skipped your complete offseason program
Based on sources, Jenkins was OK with the Packers transferring him from guard to middle, however he wished his contract adjusted to guard towards the lack of future earnings (facilities are sometimes 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 supply to ensure some or all of his remaining cash contemplating there aren’t any ensures left on his contract. — Rob Demovsky
Standing: The workforce is in search of a commerce
Ramsey is on his method out of South Florida after simply two seasons.
Basic supervisor Chris Grier stated in April that the workforce was actively seeking to transfer Ramsey, however the monetary ramifications had 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 very best statistical season by a Dolphins tight finish in historical past (88 receptions, 884 yards, 8 TDs). Now he is in search of a pay enhance, and though Miami briefly entertained a commerce, that appears unlikely to occur. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices whereas negotiating extension
It is too early to say Watt is unquestionably holding out, however one of many league’s premier move rushers and the Steelers are engaged on an extension as he enters the ultimate 12 months 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 sign up a Steelers jersey. With Cleveland’s Myles Garrett signing a document $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 workforce’s OTA practices. That doubtless will not be the case at minicamp with Aaron Rodgers now within the fold. — Brooke Pryor
Standing: Skipped taking part in OTAs
Given his prolonged holdout with the New York Jets final 12 months, Reddick’s lack of participation in Buccaneers OTAs raised some eyebrows. The workforce did not categorical concern, as head coach Todd Bowles stated he is preserving 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 damage 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 at all times completed slightly than angling for an extension. He skipped the voluntary OTA classes whereas taking part in for the Saints as effectively, 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 12 months of his contract. The 2 sides have been discussing an extension however haven’t struck a deal.
McLaurin skipped voluntary classes in addition to the necessary minicamp in 2022 earlier than signing a three-year extension.
He had been attending all offseason exercises till the week of Could 20.
Coach Dan Quinn is just not involved. “Terry’s had an incredible offseason,” he stated.
Receiver Deebo Samuel, who held out for a number of days early within the 2022 coaching camp with San Francisco, stated, “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
Better of NFL Nation
• What we’re watching at minicamp• Bucs count on Reddick to report• Refreshed 49ers set tone early• Are Jets higher or worse in 2025?
Washington acquired Tunsil in a March commerce, and he has proven as much as among the voluntary offseason work. However he typically missed voluntary work whereas taking part in in Houston, so it wasn’t an enormous 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 is just not solely a brand new teammate but additionally new to left guard within the NFL.
However Tunsil’s monitor document of in-season success will alleviate considerations. — John Keim
