It’s that time on the NFL calendar again. As mandatory minicamps begin, so do the holdouts of players seeking new contracts.
With the 2025 NFL season less than three months away, all eyes are on the AFC North. Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt and Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson, two of the division’s best pass-rushers, are embattled in contract disputes and will not be on the field when camps get underway.
As each player’s saga continues, The Sporting News is tracking the latest updates around the contract holdouts of Watt, Hendrickson, and more during minicamp and beyond.
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T.J. Watt, Steelers
After earning a Second-team All-Pro selection in 2024, Watt is not expected to attend Steelers minicamp from June 10-12, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Watt, who will turn 31 during the 2025 season, is entering the final year of a four-year, $112 million contract, which included $80 million guaranteed. This offseason saw several elite edge rushers earn major paydays, and Watt is seeking something in that range.
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Trey Hendrickson, Bengals
Hendrickson is not attending Cincinnati’s mandatory minicamp, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Last season, Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, and he is set to earn $15.8 million during the final year of his deal in 2025. Hendrickson, 30, is looking to be paid a salary closer to the league’s top edge rushers, and in May, said that “It’s become personal, unfortunately,” when asked about the negotiation process.
“To say I’m going to sit out or I’m not going to, what I can say is I’m very disappointed with the communication that’s been had,” Hendrickson added. “Former players have walked in these shoes and what it foreshadows is not something I’m excited about to tell my wife and my family. I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that. I truthfully will put my hope in that.’
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Terry McLaurin, Commanders
McLaurin will be absent when the Commanders’ mandatory minicamp begins, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Last season, McLaurin earned Second-team All-Pro honors after catching a career-best 13 touchdown passes, developing an instant connection with Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. McLaurin is entering the final year of a contract and is currently set to earn $15.5 million.
Jonnu Smith, Dolphins
Smith earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2024, catching 88 passes for a career-best 884 yards and a career-high-tying eight touchdown catches. He signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal with Miami and is currently seeking a new deal as he is set to earn $3.5 million in 2025.
He will not be in attendance at mandatory minicamp, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Tuesday.
Jalen Ramsey, Dolphins
Ramsey is also absent from Miami’s mandatory minicamp, McDaniel shared.
The three-time All-Pro CB is seeking a trade and will not report to the Dolphins as they search for a trade partner.
Shemar Stewart, Bengals
Stewart, the 17th overall pick in the 2025 draft, will be viewed as a hold-in as Bengals minicamp gets underway. The 21-year-old rookie edge rusher was not under contract the morning of June 10, and therefore, will not participate when things begin.
NFL unsigned first-round rookies
On top of the collection of veterans that are holding out for new contracts, there are a few big names from April’s NFL Draft that have yet to sign their rookie deals. However, of the five first-round selections that haven’t signed a contract as of June 10, only Shemar Stewart is being considered a “hold-in,” not expected to participate until he gets his deal.
As of June 10, here are the first-round picks that have not signed their rookie deals:
- Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jaguars (No. 2 pick)
- Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Bengals (No. 17 pick)
- Jahdae Barron, CB, Broncos (No. 20 pick)
- Maxwell Hairston, CB, Bills (No. 30 pick)
- Jihaad Campbell, LB, Eagles (No. 31 pick)
While Stewart isn’t showing a willingness to participate until he gets his rookie deal, the other four rookies have been seen participating in either rookie minicamp or other team drills.
Campbell had a helmet on and was seen going through drills as recently as June 10, while the two-way star Hunter has been on the field for plenty of Jaguars practices. Barron hasn’t been spotted on the field as often outside of the Broncos’ rookie minicamps, but he has been consistently praised by coaches and teammates. Meanwhile, Hairston was seen on the field for drills at the Bills’ rookie camp.
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