Mandatory minicamps start this week for NFL teams and training camp is right around the corner. The regular season kicks off in less than 90 days, so hearing that some big-name veterans are unhappy with their contracts could lead to some concern for fans. Let’s review some of these veterans and assess their likelihood for getting that new contract that they covet.
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
Odell Beckham Jr. is one of a number of big-name players upset about their contract.
Beckham Jr. has not been medically cleared to play since suffering a broken bone in his leg last season. He is expected to be evaluated before minicamp, and based on the workout videos that he’s been posting, it appears he should be medically cleared to play. The question is whether or not he will choose to participate with the team if he is medically cleared. There have been reports that OBJ is “scheduled to travel into town, with plans of attending… minicamp”. Giants fans probably don’t find that language 100% reassuring. Head coach Pat Shurmur has made it clear he expects to have Beckham Jr. on the team and is planning for it, so a trade seems unlikely. It seems very likely OBJ will miss some or all of minicamp while hoping for a new contract. OBJ is in the final year of his contract, earning $8.5 million this upcoming season. He clearly wants an extension and reports are that he is seeking about $20 million per season in compensation. It seems unlikely the Giants will give him that kind of money. We could be looking at a stalemate, with both sides standing their ground, meaning OBJ would be playing out the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent next year.
Aaron Donald, L.A. Rams
This is the second year in a row defensive tackle Aaron Donald has sat out of OTA’s and it seems likely that will extend into minicamp. Donald is in the 5th and final year of his rookie contract. His salary for the 2018-2019 season is $6.9 million. That is an absolute bargain for the defensive player in football. Donald has been nothing but disruptive since entering the league. Racking up 11 sacks last season, PFF had him ranked at a nearly perfect 99.7. Opposing quarterbacks clearly fear this man. Expect Donald to be absent when players report for minicamp Tuesday. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Rams eventually make him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL, and rightfully so. But they better get the deal done soon or Donald could end up testing free agency. The Rams would have the ability to franchise tag him, so that may be their strategy as they have added multiple veterans this season in an attempt to get past the first round of the playoffs. However, the best move would be for the Rams to sign Donald to a multi-year deal as soon as possible. A player like this only gets more expensive to sign.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Not every player holding out over minicamp is in a contract year, Julio Jones’ teammates reported to minicamp Monday without him. Jones, who had 1,444 receiving years last season, has 3 years left on his 5 year, $71 million contract. He is set to make $10 million this season, which seems like a lot but not when compared to Antonio Brown who will earn $17 million this season. The Falcons have the leverage here, with 3 years remaining on his contract, it wouldn’t make sense for Jones to miss much time. However, he has played his entire career with the Falcons and is still in his prime, it seems likely they will come up with some sort of agreement to boost his salary. This is only minicamp and seasoned veterans like Jones don’t need this time with the team to be ready for the regular season.
Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders have announced that they do not expect Khalil Mack to show up for mandatory minicamp this week. In the final year of a contract that pays him $13.8 million this season, Mack is holding our for an extension. He is easily the most talented player on the Raiders defense, racking up 10.5 sacks and 78 tackles last season. Mack has made the Pro Bowl each of the past 3 seasons and was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. The Raiders really need to lock him up because they don’t have much else for pass rushers on the team. Knowing he could be an option for the franchise tag, Donald is trying to avoid that and get a long-term deal done for financial security. Mack is a polished veteran and shouldn’t need the work in minicamp to be productive this season. The Raiders would be wise to give him a long-term deal.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers isn’t expected to hold out or miss any part of minicamp. However, he has been vocal about his unhappiness with his contract. With 2 years left of his contract, Rodgers is making $20 million each of the next 2 seasons. Since he signed his contract, Rodgers has been passed up in compensation by numerous quarterbacks, most recently, Matt Ryan and Kirk Cousins. Rodgers is arguably the best quarterback in the league, and his is absolutely the most valuable to his team. However, with 2 years left on his deal, the Packers have all the leverage. They could make him play out the last 2 years and then franchise tag him after that, potentially holding his rights for 5 more seasons without offering him a new contract. The problem teams face with this solution is whether or not it is worth it to have such a key player disgruntled. On one hand, $20 million is a lot for an annual salary, on the other hand, the market dictates that he deserves more of the production he brings. The solution, for players, is to not sign long-term deals, essentially betting on themselves. Rodgers signed a 7 seven year extension prior to the 2013 season. Naturally, as the market rises for starting quarterbacks, it should have been expected that the final 2 years of the deal wouldn’t be bringing him the greatest value. Now it’s up to Green Bay whether they decide to compensate him more, or make him play out the contract his agent negotiated for him.
