Most NFL 2025 Second-Round Picks Remain Unsigned Ahead Training Camps

As the 2025 NFL training camps approach, a significant holdout situation has emerged with 30 of the 32 second-round draft picks remaining unsigned due to contract guarantee disputes. This unprecedented standoff began after the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns set a new precedent by giving their second-round picks fully guaranteed contracts, a move never before seen for non-first-round players. Teams like the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers have several unsigned second-rounders, with players like Packers' Anthony Belton and Bears' Luther Burden waiting for guaranteed deals before participating in training camp. The holdouts have delayed rookies from joining team practices, potentially impacting their development and readiness for the season. Experts suggest the holdouts could be harder to maintain once camps start, especially with players facing pressure to accept less-than-full guarantees and agents lacking unified strategy, while some players with legal issues may break ranks first. The situation underscores potential future changes needed in the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement to address contract guarantees for second-round picks and financial implications for teams.