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 need 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 big effect 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). In response to the NFL collective bargaining settlement, gamers are topic to a $17,462 superb in the event that they miss at some point of necessary minicamp, then a $34,925 superb in the event that they miss a second day. If a participant misses the third and last day, the superb is $52,381.
However gamers are circumventing these fines by displaying 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.
Bounce to a participant:Cousins | Prepare dinner | HendricksonStewart | Parsons | AlexanderJenkins | Ramsey | Smith | Watt | MetcalfReddick | Lattimore | McLaurin | Tunsil
Standing: Current at a number of 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 minimize, and the group would slightly have him as a backup than be saddled with lifeless cash. Atlanta would like to discover a commerce, however provided that one other workforce 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 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. Prepare dinner, nevertheless, was not one in every of them although 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 very best season of his profession — 1,009 dashing yards,16 touchdowns on the bottom (tied for the league excessive) — and the workforce 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 to not play with out new contract
Hendrickson obtained a textual content from coach Zac Taylor reminding him concerning the superb 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 enjoying the ultimate yr of his present deal.
Hendrickson had been granted permission to hunt commerce gives.
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 beneath contract. Nonetheless, it successfully will likely 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 clean issues over with the workforce’s first-round choose. — Ben Child
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Standing: Searching for contract extension
Parsons was out and in of the offseason program, however was not a part of the OTAs. He mentioned he will likely be on the minicamp, but it surely’s not identified how a lot on-field work — if any — he’ll do.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned Parsons has remained linked to the workforce even when he has not attended every part. Maybe displaying 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 upset that he performed in solely seven video games for the second straight season.
The perimeters had tried to return to a revised contract however could not attain a deal, a supply mentioned, resulting in the Packers’ determination to maneuver on from Alexander earlier than minicamp.
Standing: Skipped all the offseason program
In response to sources, Jenkins was OK with the Packers transferring him from guard to heart, 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 normally renegotiate contracts with two years remaining, as Jenkins has on his deal, maybe they may supply to ensure some or all of his remaining cash contemplating there are not any ensures left on his contract. — Rob Demovsky
Standing: The workforce is in search of a commerce
Ramsey is on his manner out of South Florida after simply two seasons.
Basic supervisor Chris Grier mentioned 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 on the lookout for a pay improve, 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 yr of his contract.
Although he hasn’t talked publicly because the 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 file $40 million-a-year extension earlier this offseason, Watt’s value 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 possible 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 yr, Reddick’s lack of participation in Buccaneers OTAs raised some eyebrows. The workforce did not categorical concern, as head coach Todd Bowles mentioned he is protecting tabs on Reddick via place coach Larry Foote. Reddick was seen within the workforce facility Monday. — 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 achieved slightly than angling for an extension. He skipped the voluntary OTA classes whereas enjoying for the Saints as properly, together with every of the previous two years.
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices
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 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 will not be involved. “Terry’s had an awesome 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 aspect of the issues, and when he stopped coming, I perceive his aspect of the story.”
Standing: Skipped voluntary OTA practices
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Washington acquired Tunsil in a March commerce, and he has proven as much as a number of the voluntary offseason work. However he usually missed voluntary work whereas enjoying 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 probability he’ll be enjoying subsequent to Brandon Coleman, who will not be solely a brand new teammate but in addition new to left guard within the NFL.
However Tunsil’s observe file of in-season success will alleviate issues. — John Keim
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