The mandatory minicamp holdouts are back, baby. As we get closer to the regular season, NFL veterans wanting new deals are risking the loss of $100K a day to send a message to the front office. That message: pay me what I’m owed, or someone else will. Most times, we see this end with a new deal between both parties, but in the cases where it sours to the point of being traded, we could see big moves happen before the regular season starts.
Who is holding out at the start of mandatory minicamp, and who could follow suit?
Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals
This one felt obvious from the minute minicamps were getting started. Hendrickson wants a new deal; his $21M APY is currently lower than Minnesota’s Andrew Van Ginkel and Green Bay’s Rashan Gary. Hendrickson, 31, is looking to get into the upper echelon of pass rusher deals, and he definitely deserves it. The Bengals should give him what he’s asking for, largely because of how important he is to the Bengals’ Super Bowl window. Hendrickson is the most impactful defensive player on a team that’s looking to make a deep playoff run and pivotal to the Bengals’ success. With rookie EDGE Shemar Stewart also holding out and seeking a new deal, the Bengals are in a tough spot. If Cincy can get Hendrickson around the same range as the Raiders paid Maxx Crosby, it would be a good spot of business.
TJ Watt, EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers
This one has been brewing for a minute now. Watt, 31, is still regarded as one of the top EDGE players in the league, but he’s also lost a step as the Steelers’ core continues to age. Watt is currently at just over $28M in APY, putting him below Giants’ EDGE Brian Burns and Jaguars’ EDGE Josh Hines-Allen. What’s notable is that above Hines-Allen and Burns is Niners’ EDGE Nick Bosa, but Bosa is up at $34M per year. Watt wants to be the highest paid EDGE in the league, making more per year and more guaranteed than Myles Garrett. However, are the Steelers willing to do that with Watt getting up there in age and not being as effective? I’m very fascinated by what happens here.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
This one comes as a bit of a surprise. McLaurin is in the last year of his deal that he signed under the old regime, and wants to get back into the top of the wide receiver market. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, McLaurin is frustrated with his deal and wants to ink a new one in the coming days. If the Commanders were smart they’d pay McLaurin, who is the top receiver on a team with a growing superstar at QB. McLaurin’s ability to hit the big play downfield and make tough catches on 3rd down helps the offense retain its’ explosiveness, and he had a great dynamic with QB Jayden Daniels from day one. This is something McLaurin has done before, holding out of minicamp until signing an extension three years ago. Now, at 29, he has the chance to do so once again.
Jonnu Smith, TE, Miami Dolphins
Smith and the Dolphins have been going back and forth on a new deal since the season ended, but it feels like this is starting to sour to no end. Smith wants an extension, and has a rightful reason for wanting one based on last season’s Pro Bowl-caliber performance at still 29 years old. However, with some of his limitations as a blocker and Miami’s move towards wanting to be more effective on the ground, the Dolphins might not want to give him a big contract. There have also been trade rumors swirling around Smith, specifically with the Pittsburgh Steelers (Arthur Smith can’t help himself). I don’t think he gets traded, but I do wonder what happens with the Smith deal.
