At this level within the NFL offseason, we all know a lot of the large names who’ve missed OTAs, and (for probably the most half) what they’re angling for. Some wish to receives a commission, some need a commerce, 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 huge impact on groups — and probably 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). In line with the NFL collective bargaining settlement, gamers are topic to a $17,462 positive in the event that they miss someday of necessary minicamp, then a $34,925 positive in the event that they miss a second day. If a participant misses the third and ultimate day, the positive is $52,381.
However gamers are circumventing these fines by displaying up for practices and easily not taking part.
Here is the newest our NFL Nation reporters have been listening to about OTA absences and what to anticipate at minicamp.
Bounce to a participant:
Cousins | Cook dinner | Hendrickson
Stewart | Parsons | Alexander
Jenkins | Ramsey | Smith | Watt | Metcalf
Reddick | Lattimore | McLaurin | Tunsil
Standing: Attended the primary day of minicamp
Cousins desires 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’ choice 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 reasonably have him as a backup than be saddled with useless cash. Atlanta would like to discover a commerce, however provided that one other crew picks up a major chunk of that assured cash, which features a $10 million bonus in 2026. Cousins additionally has a no-trade clause.
After being round for a couple of days in the course of the early spring offseason program, Cousins was not current for observe throughout voluntary offseason crew actions, however he did present up Tuesday.
Head coach Raheem Morris doesn’t count on the veteran quarterback’s scenario to be a difficulty for Penix. — Marc Raimondi
Standing: Attended the primary day of minicamp
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, nonetheless, was not considered one of them despite the fact that his representatives had discussions with the Payments. The 2 sides weren’t shut as he enters the fourth and ultimate yr of his contract.
Cook 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 crew has acknowledged his significance. “He was clearly large for us final yr,” offensive coordinator Joe Brady mentioned.
Coach Sean McDermott mentioned he anticipates Cook dinner working towards within the minicamp periods “so far as I do know at this level.” — Alaina Getzenberg
Standing: Holding out of minicamp; sources advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The All-Professional edge rusher didn’t take part in any of the crew’s voluntary exercises as he seeks a brand new contract forward of the season. The 30-year-old mentioned he had no intention of taking part in on the ultimate yr of his present contract. He’s searching for a long-term cope with assured cash, whereas he mentioned the crew is eyeing a short-term contract.
Hendrickson obtained 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.
Hendrickson had been granted permission to hunt commerce gives.
Standing: Attended minicamp however didn’t take part
It is a distinctive scenario as a result of Stewart is not technically below contract. Nevertheless, it successfully will probably 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 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 crew’s first-round decide.
“In my case, I am 100% proper,” Stewart mentioned when requested by ESPN about how lengthy the scenario may final. “I am not asking for nothing that is by no means been finished earlier than. In [the team’s case], y’all simply wish to win an argument as an alternative of successful extra video games, for my part.”– Ben Child
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Why T.J. Watt just isn’t attending Steelers necessary minicamp
Brooke Pryor reviews on Steelers move rusher T.J. Watt not attending necessary minicamp as he pursues a brand new contract.
Standing: Attended minicamp Tuesday, did not observe
Parsons was in attendance Tuesday, however he didn’t do any on-field work. He mentioned he had a decent again, and if it feels higher Wednesday he would do some stuff on the sector. He spoke with Jerry Jones for about half-hour in the course of the observe however mentioned it was not concerning the contract. He mentioned he is simply ready for Jones to make the following transfer within the talks and hopes one thing can get finished earlier than coaching camp.
Though he mentioned he could be in Oxnard for coaching camp, he was noncommittal about whether or not he would truly observe with out a contract. — Todd Archer
Standing: Is getting launched
Information broke Monday that the Packers plan to launch Alexander. Either side had 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 crew and the Packers disenchanted that he performed in solely seven video games for a 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’ choice to maneuver on from Alexander earlier than minicamp.
Standing: Skipped your complete offseason program
In line with sources, Jenkins was OK with the Packers shifting him from guard to heart however needed his contract adjusted to guard towards 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 supply to ensure some or all of his remaining cash, contemplating there are not any ensures left on his contract. — Rob Demovsky
Standing: The crew is searching for a commerce
Ramsey is on his method out of South Florida after simply two seasons.
Basic supervisor Chris Grier mentioned in April that the crew was actively trying 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 would possibly materialize quickly.
Ramsey’s absence from minicamp is excused as each side look to facilitate a commerce, in response to coach Mike McDaniel.
Standing: Skipping minicamp
Smith signed a two-year, $8.4 million cope with 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 searching for a pay enhance, and though Miami briefly entertained a commerce, that appears unlikely to occur.
Not like with Ramsey, Smith’s absence just isn’t excused. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Standing: Skipping minicamp, sources advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
One of many league’s premier move 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 check in a Steelers jersey. With Cleveland’s Myles Garrett signing a report $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 crew’s OTA practices. That doubtless will not be the case at minicamp with Aaron Rodgers now within the fold. — Brooke Pryor
Standing: Skipped OTAs, however participated within the first day of minicamp
Given his prolonged holdout with the New York Jets final yr, Reddick’s lack of participation in Buccaneers OTAs raised some eyebrows. The crew did not specific concern, as head coach Todd Bowles mentioned he saved tabs on Reddick by way of place coach Larry Foote.
Nervous Bucs followers can breathe a sigh of reduction as Reddick practiced. — 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 to be extra about what he has at all times finished reasonably than him angling for an extension. He skipped the voluntary OTA periods whereas taking part in for the Saints as effectively, together with every of the previous two years.
Standing: Holding out of minicamp
McLaurin, coming off his best season — with 82 receptions, 1,096 yards and a career-best 13 touchdowns (one fewer than he had the earlier three years mixed) — is getting 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 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 just isn’t involved. “Terry’s had an ideal 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 usually 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 probability he’ll be taking part in subsequent to Brandon Coleman, who just isn’t solely a brand new teammate but additionally new to left guard within the NFL.
However Tunsil’s monitor report of in-season success will alleviate issues. — John Keim
