With the season fast approaching, most of the buzz is about players getting ready for Week 1. But it’s not that simple for several standouts.
The start of training camps brought contract situations to a head, resulting in players staying away from camp or, in recent years, reporting to camp to avoid fines but avoiding practice until their financial situations are addressed. That’s what we’re tracking, as several big-name players are limiting their participation in practice, not practicing at all or not reporting and subjecting themselves to daily fines that won’t be reimbursed.
Here’s a look at 10 players who were in limbo at the start of training camp, along with updates from our NFL Nation writers. Some situations have been resolved, as Tua Tagovailoa got his deal from the Dolphins, Jordan Love quickly followed for the Packers and Tristan Wirfs broke the bank for the Buccaneers. CeeDee Lamb was the latest to cash in, agreeing to a four-year extension with the Cowboys on Monday.
But some players are still waiting for resolution of their situations, including two 49ers (one who could be traded). One player below was traded, as Matthew Judon was dealt by the Patriots to the Falcons to conclude a dramatic training-camp saga.
Status: Medically cleared to participate but did not practice
In perhaps the most contentious turn yet in the ongoing 49ers/Aiyuk saga, coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch said Wednesday they expected Aiyuk to practice after he had been medically cleared from the neck and back issues he reported at the start of camp. Aiyuk did not participate, which leaves him open to discipline from the team, up to and including fines and suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. In essence, the Niners removed Aiyuk’s ability to “hold in,” where he could attend meetings and not practice without fear of repercussions. That puts the ball back in Aiyuk’s court to decide what the next move is as he and the 49ers continue to seek a resolution with the start of the regular season fast approaching. — Nick Wagoner, 49ers reporter
Updated Aug. 28
Status: Reported to camp, not practicing, did not show up to practice on Tuesday
The conflict between Chase and the Bengals has escalated. He was not present for the Bengals’ last home practice before their second preseason game. Even though Chase had not been participating while he awaits a contract extension, he had been present and engaged during practices.
Throughout Chase’s hold-in, Bengals coach Zac Taylor has maintained that things regarding Chase were going according to plan. After Tuesday’s practice, Taylor indicated that the situation will remain fluid.
“We’ll take it one day at a time,” Taylor said.
Previously, Chase has been very open about waiting for Justin Jefferson, his former teammate at LSU, to get his extension done before fully pursuing one of his own. In June, Jefferson made history by signing a four-year deal worth $140 million, including $110 million guaranteed, which were both the highest totals ever given to a non-quarterback.
In July, team president Mike Brown indicated a deal with Chase before the start of the season was unlikely. Now, the question will be if Chase is willing to skip games in order to boost his odds of getting his extension done. — Ben Baby, Bengals reporter
Updated Aug. 13
Status: Reported to Patriots camp, sat out first two padded practices, traded to Falcons
Unable to come to an agreement with Judon, the New England Patriots balanced short- and long-term considerations in trading him to the Falcons for a third-round pick. Losing their best pass rusher is a decisive hit to a unit that is the strength of a rebuilding team, but gaining a third-round pick for a player who was a free agent after the season — and unlikely to return — has value for a club in need of a talent infusion. Keion White, New England’s second-round pick in 2023, is a prime candidate to see his role expand in Judon’s absence opposite sturdy edge setter Anfernee Jennings. — Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter
Updated Aug. 14
Status: Reported to camp, is practicing fully
Kamara participated in all aspects of practice on Wednesday, including 11-on-11 drills, during which he caught a pass from Saints quarterback Derek Carr. Kamara said he doesn’t plan to hold out even while expressing disappointment that negotiations haven’t progressed on a new contract. He explained his reasoning behind leaving minicamp early and said that he did it after no significant talks occurred regarding his contract this spring.
He also wanted to clarify what he was seeking and that he is looking for long-term security.
“I’ve said it before: I want to be a Saint. I want to retire here,” Kamara said. “Just for me to set the record, I’m not asking for nothing crazy. I’m not asking for nothing where it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, we can’t do it.’ Well, that’s my perception of it. Whatever the perception is upstairs, with whoever makes those decisions, it’s obviously different from my perception. So, we just carry on. I got to do what I do and focus on what I’ve got to do.” — Katherine Terrell, Saints reporter
Updated July 24
Status: Agreed to a contract extension
Lamb is now under contract through 2028 with his four-year, $136 million contract extension. While both sides may have preferred to have it done sooner so he could take part in some part of training camp, he will be available for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, which is what matters most. Lamb led the NFL in receptions last season and set a team record for yards in a season (1,749), so having him available gives the Cowboys a chance for another successful season offensively. He is quarterback Dak Prescott’s best playmaker.
Now that this deal is complete, the next target will be Prescott. There have been talks during the summer and Prescott recently said they are going in the right direction. With Lamb now under contract through 2028, the Cowboys can put all of their attention to extending their quarterback.. — Todd Archer, Cowboys reporter
Updated Aug. 26
Status: Agreed to a four-year, $220 million extension
Love got his deal done in time to join the Packers for their first full-pads practice of camp on Saturday. In all, he missed only four practices, although he attended every one of them. While it remains to be seen whether he can match the success of his predecessors Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, it ensures that the Packers will have several more years of stability at the most important position. — Rob Demovsky, Packers reporter
Updated July 26
Status: Holding out of camp, requesting a trade
On the 21st day of his holdout, Reddick officially requested a trade from the Jets, who responded with a strongly worded statement saying they won’t trade him.
It’s official: The gloves are off.
This is one of the more bizarre holdouts in recent memory, simply because both sides signed off on a trade in late March. Remember, Reddick requested a trade from the Eagles because he was unhappy with his contract and they refused to extend his deal. The Jets swooped in, receiving permission to speak with Reddick. The Jets were under the impression that Reddick would play under his existing deal, sources said, so they executed the trade by sending a 2026 conditional third-round pick to the Eagles for the two-time Pro Bowler.
Reddick’s camp hasn’t shared its side of the story, but it presumably isn’t happy by the way things have gone down. He believes he has outperformed his contract and he wants to be receive a deal commensurate with the top edge rushers. He’s in the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract.
Both sides appear entrenched in their position. The standoff continues. — Rich Cimini, Jets reporter
Updated Aug. 12
Status: Agreed to contract extension
The Dolphins and Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year extension worth $212.4 million, making him the third highest paid quarterback in the NFL in terms of average annual value. After two days of minimal participation at practice, his new extension allows him to get back on the field with his teammates and build on an offense that led the NFL in yards per game last season.
It’s the latest example of the Dolphins taking care of their homegrown talent, after signing wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to an extension this summer and inking offensive tackle Austin Jackson to an extension during the 2023 season. Next step is safety Jevon Holland, who has been vocal about his desire for a new contract. — Marcel Louis-Jacques, Dolphins reporter
Updated July 26
Status: On the reserve/did not report list
Williams’ holdout rolls on as he and the 49ers have yet to strike an agreement on a re-worked contract that includes significant guarantees and elevates Williams back to the top of the offensive tackle market. Shanahan and Lynch remain optimistic that something will get done with Williams soon but for now, the star tackle isn’t even on the roster. San Francisco kept him on the reserve/did not report list Tuesday as he continues to accrue fines for holding out. “I feel when two sides want to get a deal done, usually it happens,” Shanahan said. — Wagoner
Updated Aug. 28
Status: Agreed to an extension, will fully participate in practice
Wirfs joins wide receiver Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield, linebacker Lavonte David and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as in-house players the Bucs extended this offseason, with four of those five homegrown players. Winfield and Wirfs each got record-setting deals for their position groups, as Wirfs is now the highest-paid offensive lineman and Winfield the highest-paid defensive back. That’s no small feat considering the Bucs played with more than $80 million in dead money this past season. But it keeps the core of the Bucs’ roster intact and in contention for the next several years.
“I think we have a lot of guys that care,” Wirfs said. “Guys love coming out there competing and that’s what it’s going to take — us competing every day, coming out with attention to detail, trying to get better and pushing each other to do the best we can be. Super Bowl is obviously the goal. I think that’s the goal for everybody. Just doing whatever it takes to get back there and lifting that trophy. It’s a damn good feeling. So you got to do it again.” — Jenna Laine, Buccaneers reporter
Updated Aug. 1