Picture USA TODAY Sports activities Photographs The outdated adage is that vast receivers are extra widespread than some other place group in sports activities.
Nothing can be accomplished within the coming weeks to dispel this stereotype.
This summer season, the Minnesota Vikings signed Justin Jefferson to a four-year contract extension price $140 million, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL historical past. Star receivers from California to Texas to Florida are primed for raises and able to choose out of coaching camp if obligatory.
With the coaching camp report date nonetheless just a few weeks away, listed below are eight holdouts and potential holdouts to regulate. Let’s rank them from the obvious (some have already occurred) to the extra speculative potentialities.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb
Most Individuals aren’t followers of Staff USA, so we’ll fortunately snort at Jerry Jones for persevering with his (improper) strategy when his No. 1 quarterback, receivers and protection all want new gamers , he sat again and let the market worth rise. Lamb skipped necessary minicamp and reviews mentioned he wouldn’t report back to camp with out new protocols. This might get ugly (or humorous, for individuals who hate Dallas). The Cowboys are additionally engaged on a lame-duck commerce with a quarterback. Dak Prescott is within the ultimate yr of a four-year, $140 million contract.
49ers outfielder Brandon Aiyuk
February 7, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers vast receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11 years outdated) on the Hilton Lake Resort & Spa in Las Vegas On the pre-game press convention for Tremendous Bowl 58. Necessary Credit score: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports activities Deebo Samuel was as soon as the Niners’ largest beef.
This summer season, Aiyuk publicly ruffled feathers over his contract whereas casting a confused take a look at his faculty teammate, fellow quarterback rookie Jayden Daniels, suggesting he wished to be traded to Washington. An extension and commerce seem like the one two outcomes, and Aiyuk is clearly not going to be a passive participant within the negotiations.
Bengals WR Jamal Chase
Cincinnati Bengals vast receiver Ja’Marr Chase throughout the first quarter of the NFL Week 15 recreation between the Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings at PayCor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Chase) (1) smiles after finishing an extended move. Chase’s teammate Tee Higgins will not be a persistent risk now that he is signed a franchise tender. He can both get a long-term deal earlier than the July 15 deadline or maintain enjoying.
However the Bengals’ entrance workplace needed to work on an even bigger deal to attain the next precedence: their true star, and when Jefferson bought paid, his value went up. Chase could also be a “maintain” candidate.
Jets edge Haason Reddick
April 4, 2024; New York, NY, USA; New York Jets linebacker Haason Redick sits courtside throughout the fourth quarter of the sport between the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings at Madison Sq. Backyard. Necessary Credit score: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports activities If the Cowboys are the best group to snort at, second on the record are the Jets, whose newest misstep was buying and selling for Redick and apparently having no plans to present him the long-term deal he wished from Philadelphia. It wasn’t precisely a shining second for head coach Robert Saleh, who admitted final month that he hasn’t even spoken to the double-digit sack guru who has but to report back to the group .
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill
Tyreek Hill leaves the court docket at Laborious Rock Stadium in Miami. Supply: Getty Photographs Hill’s four-year, $120 million deal by 2022 makes him the highest-paid receiver on the time. In reality, his wage cap hit is the best in his class This yr! However once more, that pesky market has reset and Hill is brazenly on the lookout for a brand new contract in Miami.
Browns WR Amari Cooper
December 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns vast receiver Amari Cooper (2) on the sideline throughout the fourth quarter in opposition to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports activities One other confirmed exterior prospect who did not report back to necessary minicamp. Cooper, the primary participant in Cleveland historical past to run for 1,000 yards in two consecutive seasons, is getting into the ultimate yr of his contract. He noticed the Browns instantly re-sign Jerry Jeudy after buying him, despite the fact that he was youthful than the 30-year-old Cooper.
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton
November 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos vast receiver Courtland Sutton (14) corners the Minnesota Vikings throughout the fourth quarter at Empower Area at Mile Excessive Linebacker Mekhi Blackmon (5) scored a landing. Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports activities Sutton’s profession achievements up to now are nothing in comparison with the likes of Hill, Chase and Lamb.
Nonetheless, he is the clear No. 1 receiver on a nasty Denver group. He threw for 10 touchdowns a yr in the past and is aware of he deserves extra money. After taking part within the necessary mini-camp, when requested if he would stick to the coaching camp, he solely mentioned “we are going to see.”
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Tua Tagovailoa is within the Professional Bowl. Supply: Getty Photographs Quarterback holdout? On this financial local weather?
NFL analyst Ryan Clark and others have advocated for Tagovailoa to remain off the follow discipline till he’s paid. The present annual wage for younger quarterbacks (Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and extra controversially, Trevor Lawrence) is $55 million, and Tagovailoa has mentioned that “the market is market”. Effectively.
