Second-Round NFL Rookies Face Contract Holdouts As Camp Opens

A contract dispute involving guaranteed money has left nearly all second-round NFL draft picks unsigned, including Denver Broncos rookie running back R.J. Harvey and Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris, as teams grapple with the precedent set by the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns who gave their early second-round picks fully guaranteed deals. This new trend disrupts the rookie wage scale established by the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement, complicating negotiations for the remaining picks who seek similar guarantees. While players like Harris have participated in offseason programs, they have yet to report to training camp without signed contracts, creating uncertainty for teams such as the Broncos and Chargers about player availability. Meanwhile, Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, another second-round pick, faces legal issues following an arrest, adding to the challenges for the team’s backfield plans. The Browns had given their first second-round selection, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, a fully guaranteed contract, illustrating how the Texans’ initial move pressured other teams to follow suit. This situation poses a significant hurdle for NFL teams as training camps begin and roster preparations continue.