The Tennessee Titans head to coaching camp on July 22, and second-round edge Femi Oladejo stays unsigned. Which begs the query: Ought to followers be apprehensive a few potential holdout?
In years previous, that reply can be “no.” Whereas second-rounders have signed later within the offseason, their offers normally get executed just a few weeks earlier than the beginning of camp. That every one modified this offseason, and now the timeline for second-rounders signing their rookie offers is an unknown. As groups head into coaching camps across the league, 30 of the 32 second-round picks stay unsigned.
The rationale groups are in limbo with these picks might be traced again to the Houston Texans and Jayden Higgins.
Higgins, the thirty fourth general choose, was the primary second-rounder signed, and the primary second-round choose ever to obtain a completely assured contract. Beforehand, parts of the fourth season of their contracts had been assured, however by no means all the settlement. The Texans’ determination prompted a ripple impact, and now the remainder of the NFL is left in its wake.
Higgins’ contract pressured the Cleveland Browns to present linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the thirty third general choose, a completely assured deal as effectively. Now, the remainder of the picks within the spherical need to comply with this precedent, and it’s beginning to have an effect on coaching camps.
Ian Rapoport reported that Los Angeles Chargers rookie wideout Tre Harris didn’t report back to coaching camp and was listed as a holdout.
Harris is the primary of the second-rounders to overlook the beginning of coaching camp, and he may very well be the primary of many with the Chargers being the primary workforce to open camp. Whereas that is occurring 1000’s of miles away, it has a direct impression on the Titans. Harris was the fifty fifth choose within the draft, three spots after the Titans picked Oladejo at No. 52.
There may be nonetheless time to finalize the deal earlier than camp, with each Oladejo and the Titans must be motivated to finalize the contract, as either side will profit from his presence in camp. The rookie edge is being counted on to carry athleticism and angle to the revamped unit, however he’s nonetheless unrefined and may use all of the reps he can get.
However the Titans discover themselves outdoors the motive force’s seat in these negotiations, being held hostage by these above them. With a number of groups reporting to camp within the coming days, these contracts ought to fall into place as soon as different second-rounders begin to signal. Nonetheless, the state of affairs might additionally linger if the gamers maintain agency and refuse to accept non-guaranteed offers.
What occurs subsequent is anybody’s guess, nevertheless it does doubtlessly open the door for Oladejo to overlook a while early in camp. It is a state of affairs that must be carefully monitored, not simply in Nashville however throughout all the NFL, as second-round picks and their brokers navigate this new panorama.
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