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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Titans be worried about a Femi Oladejo holdout?
You're likely aware that there's been an intriguing storyline brewing around second-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft over the past few months. The Houston Texans made the unprecedented decision to sign No. 34 overall pick Jayden Higgins to a fully-guaranteed contract. Realizing they possessed no leverage, the Cleveland Browns followed suit with 33rd selection Carson Schwesinger. The other 30 second-round picks in the NFL remain unsigned, including Tennessee Titans rookie EDGE Femi Oladejo. The situation is beginning to reach a boiling point. Current CBA rules don't allow rookies to physically participate in training camp if they haven't signed their contracts. The rubber is meeting the road around the league. The Los Angeles Chargers reported to training camp over the weekend. Their second-round pick, wide receiver Tre Harris, is officially holding out over guaranteed money, according to various reports. Oladejo displayed a team-first attitude at OTAs and minicamp, but the situation is different now. Rookies are permitted to participate in offseason workouts without a signed contract, because there are injury protections in place. Training camp essentially serves as an unofficial deadline for rookie deals to get signed. That's why Harris is holding out in L.A. And Oladejo's agent is likely driving the conversation in Nashville. No matter how much of a team-first attitude Oladejo has, he'll expect, with advice from his agency, to sign a contract that is deemed fair by market standards. The market was completely thrown into disarray by the Texans (thanks, Houston!), leading to unprecedented negotiations. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi would probably prefer to see a rookie contract around Oladejo's slot (No. 52 overall) get done before taking his stance. Just because the 33rd and 34th selections got fully-guaranteed contracts doesn't necessarily mean Oladejo will. Guarantees have always slightly differed pick to pick in previous years, but putting the fully-guaranteed variety on the table changed things. For example, what do the 50th and 53rd pick get in guaranteed money? Borgonzi would love to have that example before signing Oladejo. The Titans are slated to report to training camp on July 22nd, with the first on-field practice scheduled for the 23rd. The Titans have less than two weeks to get Oladejo signed to avoid a distraction and holdout. More from NFL power rankings week 7: The green arrow is back, baby! DeShone Kizer to start at quarterback for Browns vs. Titans Tennessee Titans Podcast: Wrapping up the Colts game, Quick look at the Browns Titans vs. Browns: What are the odds? Dick LeBeau made some great halftime adjustments in Titans win over the Colts Tennessee Titans Podcast: Gutsy Mariota Comes Through to Beat the Colts Titans end the streak, beat the Colts 36-22
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
New Second-Round Contract Guarantees Provide a Rare Win For NFL Players
The end of summer has brought a parade of bad headlines for the NFLPA, but the start of training camp also brought something else: a rare win for NFL players in getting more from their teams. It's a fine-print victory, but most of the league's second-round draft picks held off on signing for more than two months, waiting until the past week to sign their rookie contracts and making gains in how much of those deals are fully guaranteed. For the last two collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), going back to 2011, there was little to be negotiated in NFL rookie contracts, with the total value all but locked into slotted amounts, each pick getting slightly less than the pick before. In terms of guarantees, it had worked out that all first-round picks got fully guaranteed deals, all picks from the third round had no guarantees beyond their signing bonus, leaving the second round in the middle of things. Before this year, no second-round pick had gotten a fully guaranteed rookie contract, though last year's top second-rounders were close, getting as much as 95%. The Houston Texans broke precedent when they gave the No. 34 pick, receiver Jayden Higgins, a fully guaranteed contract two weeks after the draft, all but forcing the Cleveland Browns to do the same with the No. 33 pick, linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Then, the rest of the second round stopped signing deals. Nobody broke ranks, with no agent or player wanting to be the one who would sign for less. That meant going all summer without signing bonuses worth as much as $5 million, though some agents can float short-term advances to players, knowing a deal will eventually be signed. They participated in offseason practices and meetings like any signed rookies, but they waited until within days of the start of training camp, and NFL teams relented. Seven of the top eight picks in the round got fully guaranteed deals, the last being New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, who'd been taken with the 40th overall pick. Last year's No. 40 pick, Philadelphia Eagles corner Cooper DeJean, had about 80% of his rookie deal guaranteed, so in Shough's case, the guarantee increased by about $3.3 million, a substantial increase. The lone exception at the top of the second round was Browns running back Quinshon Judkins, whose leverage took a hit when he was arrested in Florida on domestic violence and battery charges. The rest of the second round hasn't gotten fully guaranteed deals, but they've gotten a higher percentage guaranteed than their counterparts in last year's draft, typically about 10% more. Guaranteed money is an unexpected place for players to gain ground, because it's only relevant in a worst-case scenario: a draft pick playing so poorly they're cut before their rookie deal is over. It doesn't happen often — if you look at the 2021 draft class, which just finished its rookie deals after last season, only five players were cut early, and four of them in the fourth and final season. To find a second-round pick cut before their third year, you have to go back to 2017 and Seahawks defensive tackle Malik McDowell, who never played a snap for Seattle but had a non-football injury from a preseason ATV accident, as well as arrests that would have voided any guarantees under clauses common in NFL contracts. To find a second-rounder cut so early for just poor play, it goes back to 2016 and Tennessee Titans defensive end Kevin Dodd, cut after two seasons. He never played again. Now, to guard against guarantees in contracts, many NFL teams will insist on including "offset language," which means any money guaranteed when a player is cut is diminished by anything he makes from another team. If a player is claimed off waivers, the new team assumes the remaining guaranteed money, but if he goes unclaimed, the original team gets relief from any contract the player signs within the timeframe of the rookie contract. So teams are only impacted financially if a draft pick is cut and out of the league entirely. What's next? This year's progress in better guarantees for draft picks means they'll seek more of the same in 2026 — it could be that half the second round has fully guaranteed contracts, or it could be that the top of the third round can now seek partial guarantees where none exist now. When revenue, and thus the salary cap, increase as steadily as they have for the NFL, the expectation for any contract's parameters starts at what the same pick got last year, so any step forward — like in guaranteed money here — is a victory that perpetuates into future seasons moving forward. If players stay on the roster as they often do, it has no impact on the player or team, but the changes can help the few players who aren't able to play out their rookie deals. Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He previously spent a decade covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter at @gregauman . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL 2nd-round pick contract tracker: Nearly every selection has now agreed to a deal, including some guaranteed
As rookies started reporting to training camps across the NFL, all but two second-round picks from this past April remained without deals. Now over half of them have one. Luther Burden III's agreement on a four-year, $10.965 million deal with the Chicago Bears is notable in particular. He was the 39th overall pick, and the lowest so far to receive a fully guaranteed deal. Others selected after him have had parts of their deals guaranteed, but not the entire length of the contract. As training camps open across the league these next few days, we're keeping track of how this unprecedented situation resolves itself. No. 33: LB Carson Schwesigner, Cleveland Browns 4-year, $11.8 million fully guaranteed deal, reported May 9 No. 34: WR Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans 4-year, $11.7 million fully guaranteed deal, first second-rounder in NFL history to get one, reported May 8 No. 35: S Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks 4-year, $11.6 million fully guaranteed deal, reported July 17 No. 36: RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns Remains unsigned; he was arrested on a domestic violence charge on July 12 No. 37: G Jonah Savaiinaea, Miami Dolphins 4-year deal, 100% guaranteed, per report No. 38: RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots Agreed to fully guaranteed deal, per report No. 39: WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears 4-year, $10.965 million deal, per report No. 40: QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints Fully-guaranteed $10.795 million deal, per report No. 41: DT T.J. Sanders, Buffalo Bills 4-year, 10.645 million deal with $10.073M guaranteed, per report No. 42: TE Mason Taylor, New York Jets 4-year, $10.46 million deal with 91.3% guaranteed, per report No. 43: DT Alfred Collins, San Francisco 49ers 4-year, $10.3 million deal with over $9 million guaranteed, per report No. 44: DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys 4-year, $10.1 million deal with around $8.1 million guaranteed, per report No. 45: DE JT Tuimoloau, Indianapolis Colts 4-year deal, per report No. 46: TE Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams 4-year, $9.7 million deal with $8.05 million guaranteed, per his agent No. 47: CB Will Johnson, Arizona Cardinals Remains unsigned No. 48: OT Aireontae Ersery, Houston Texans 4-year, $9.2 million deal, per report No. 49: LB Demetrius Knight, Cincinnati Bengals 4-year deal, with 80% guaranteed, per report No. 50: TE Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks 4-year, $8.813 million deal with $6.872 million guaranteed, per report No. 51: DE Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers 4-year deal, per report No. 52: DE Oluwafemi Oladejo, Tennessee Titans Remains unsigned No. 53: CB Benjamin Morrison, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Agreed to rookie deal, 96% guaranteed in third year, per report No. 54: OT Anthony Belton, Green Bay Packers Signed rookie contract, Packers announced No. 55: WR Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers Agreed to deal, per report, ending only actual holdout as yet from second round No. 56: OT Ozzy Trapilo, Chicago Bears 4-year deal, with first two years fully guaranteed and third 72% guaranteed, per report No. 57: G Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions Agreed to deal, per report No. 58: WR Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders 4-year deal, details pending, per report No. 59: LB Mike Green, Baltimore Ravens Agreed to deal, per report, and team announced signing No. 60: RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos 4-year, $7.36 million deal with first two years fully guaranteed and third year 47.7% guaranteed, per report No. 61: CB Trey Amos, Washington Commanders Agreed to deal, per report No. 62: DT Shemar Turner, Chicago Bears 4-year deal, details pending, per report No. 63: DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Kansas City Chiefs Signed rookie contract, per report No. 64: S Andrew Mukuba, Philadelphia Eagles Remains unsigned
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans lock up second-round OT Aireontae Ersery ahead of training camp
Aireontae Ersery is now signed, sealed and delivered as the newest signed member of the Houston Texans. According to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, the Texans and their second-round offensive tackle have agreed to a four-year deal worth up $9.2 million. As of now, the full guarantees of the contract have yet to be released. With Ersery signed, the Texans have agreed to terms with all nine players of their rookie class ahead of Wednesday's start of training camp. As the second of two second-round picks, Ersery's arrival is significant since multiple second-round picks remain unsigned heading into training camp because of contract details. Earlier this offseason, the Texans made history by signing Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins to a four-year fully guaranteed deal worth $11.8 million, making him the first second-round pick in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed contract. Since then, it's delayed a majority of second-round picks from reaching deals for weeks. Drafted 48th overall out of Minnesota, Ersery is expected to compete with both Blake Fisher and Cam Robinson for starting reps at either left or right tackle. He had worked out on both sides of the trenches during OTAs and is expected to do the same through training camp until one player steps up to lock down one side of the offensive line. The third-team All-American in 2024 with the Golden Gophers, Ersery allowed only one sack and one quarterback hit last season. He played mostly left tackle in college, playing seven snaps at right tackle and three at guard over his three seasons in Minneapolis. 'The biggest thing with Ersery is getting acclimated to learning what it takes to be a pro," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said last month. "I see Ersery, he's steadily gotten better at the things off the field, of finding his routine, and also on the field, just seeing his footwork, his pad leverage, is getting better, it's improving.' While Ersery may or may not start in his rookie season, he's expected to be a long-term piece on the offensive line protecting Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Texans return to the Methodist Training Center for the start of training camp on Wednesday morning. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans ink OT Aireontae Ersery to rookie contract before training camp
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL 2nd-round pick contract tracker: Over half the selections have now agreed to deals, including some guaranteed
As rookies started reporting to training camps across the NFL, all but two second-round picks from this past April remained without deals. Now over half of them have one. Luther Burden III's agreement on a four-year, $10.965 million deal with the Chicago Bears is notable in particular. He was the 39th overall pick, and the lowest so far to receive a fully guaranteed deal. Others selected after him have had parts of their deals guaranteed, but not the entire length of the contract. As training camps open across the league these next few days, we're keeping track of how this unprecedented situation resolves itself. No. 33: LB Carson Schwesigner, Cleveland Browns 4-year, $11.8 million fully guaranteed deal, reported May 9 No. 34: WR Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans 4-year, $11.7 million fully guaranteed deal, first second-rounder in NFL history to get one, reported May 8 No. 35: S Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks 4-year, $11.6 million fully guaranteed deal, reported July 17 No. 36: RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns Remains unsigned; he was arrested on a domestic violence charge on July 12 No. 37: G Jonah Savaiinaea, Miami Dolphins 4-year deal, 100% guaranteed, per report No. 38: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State Remains unsigned No. 39: WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears 4-year, $10.965 million deal, per No. 40: QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints Remains unsigned No. 41: DT T.J. Sanders, Buffalo Bills Remains unsigned No. 42: TE Mason Taylor, New York Jets 4-year, $10.46 million deal with 91.3% guaranteed, per report No. 43: DT Alfred Collins, San Francisco 49ers 4-year, $10.3 million deal with over $9 million guaranteed, per report No. 44: DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys 4-year, $10.1 million deal with around $8.1 million guaranteed, per report No. 45: DE JT Tuimoloau, Indianapolis Colts 4-year deal, per report No. 46: TE Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams Remains unsigned No. 47: CB Will Johnson, Arizona Cardinals Remains unsigned No. 48: OT Aireontae Ersery, Houston Texans Remains unsigned No. 49: LB Demetrius Knight, Cincinnati Bengals Remains unsigned No. 50: TE Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks 4-year, $8.813 million deal with $6.872 million guaranteed, per report No. 51: DE Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers Remains unsigned No. 52: DE Oluwafemi Oladejo, Tennessee Titans Remains unsigned No. 53: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame Remains unsigned No. 54: OT Anthony Belton, Green Bay Packers Signed rookie contract, Packers announced No. 55: WR Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers Agreed to deal, per report, and only actual holdout as yet from second round No. 56: OT Ozzy Trapilo, Chicago Bears 4-year deal, with first two years fully guaranteed and third 72% guaranteed, per report No. 57: G Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions Agreed to deal, per report No. 58: WR Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders 4-year deal, details pending, per report No. 59: LB Mike Green, Baltimore Ravens Agreed to deal, per report, and team announced signing No. 60: RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos 4-year, $7.36 million deal with first two years fully guaranteed and third year 47.7% guaranteed, per report No. 61: CB Trey Amos, Washington Commanders Agreed to deal, per report No. 62: DT Shemar Turner, Chicago Bears 4-year deal, details pending, per report No. 63: DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Kansas City Chiefs Remains unsigned No. 64: S Andrew Mukuba, Philadelphia Eagles Remains unsigned
