NFL Training Camp Holdout Candidates

Caleb Williams signed his rookie contract this week, putting the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in camp on time. At issue was Williams’ desire to insert a clause into his contract that would prevent the Bears from using the franchise tag at the end of this contract. The Bears refused, Williams and his camp acquiesced, and it’s all-systems-go for the Bears training camp.

Williams is +135 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Bears are -120 to make the playoffs.

Brandon Aiyuk – San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers open camp with their veterans on July 23, so there is still some time for the team and disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to make a deal. But don’t bet on it happening. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo says the two sides haven’t talked about a new contract since May.

Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and he is displeased with the $14.1 million he’s due to make in 2024. He wants to be paid, or he wants to be traded. With the 49ers reluctant to do either, Aiyuk is a good bet to miss his report date next week.

CeeDee Lamb – Dallas Cowboys

As good as Aiyuk was in 2023, CeeDee Lamb was better. And the Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver has been great from the moment he entered the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons. In 2023, Lamb was arguably the best wide receiver in football, catching 135 passes for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Lamb’s production is on a par with Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and he just signed a contract that pays him $35 million per season. Lamb is being paid $17.9 million in this, the final year of his rookie contract.

Jerry Jones said the Cowboys are “all-in” on winning this season, which should mean getting Lamb happy and paid and in camp. But with a big contract extension looming for linebacker Micah Parsons, and current contract talks ongoing with quarterback Dak Prescott, can Dallas pay Lamb what he’s worth?

Lamb, who is third in Offensive Player of the Year betting odds at +900, skipped mandatory minicamp in June, and on July 24, he’s expected to begin missing training camp.

Currently, the Cowboys are paying +150 to win the NFC East, and +1900 to win the Super Bowl.

Haason Reddick – New York Jets

Pass rusher Haason Reddick was one of the better bargains for the Philadelphia Eagles over the last two seasons, signing with them in 2022 for three years and $45 million. In 2022, he recorded a career-high 16 sacks, and last year, he finished with 11 – his fourth straight season in double digits.

Reddick turns 30 in September, he’s underpaid, and he knows that this is likely his last chance to make a big contract. He was unhappy with his deal when he was an Eagle, and when the New York Jets traded for him in March, they took on his unhappiness. 

The Jets open camp on July 23, and even though Reddick will be fined $50,000 for each day of camp that he misses, he already skipped mandatory minicamp. For a team that is in a must-win mode this season, the Jets can’t afford for Reddick’s contract squabble to last too far into camp.

New York is currently -160 to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.