NFL Second-Round Draft Pick Holdouts Delay Training Camps Nationwide

As NFL training camps for the 2025 season begin, a major contract standoff is unfolding involving second-round draft picks, with 30 of 32 still unsigned due to disputes over fully guaranteed contracts. The Houston Texans' Jayden Higgins and Cleveland Browns' Carson Schwesinger became the first second-round picks to sign fully guaranteed deals, setting a historic precedent that has led other draftees and their agents to demand similar guarantees. This has caused teams to hesitate, as fully guaranteed contracts typically expose them to greater financial risk, with previous norms guaranteeing only 50 to 80 percent of second-round contracts. The holdouts could impact rookie participation in training camps, with notable players like Tyler Shough and Luther Burden among those unsigned. Analysts suggest this standoff may signal a seismic shift in how rookie contracts are negotiated, potentially reshaping the NFL's approach to guaranteeing contracts for mid-to-late second-round picks in the future. The NFL Players Association is monitoring the situation closely, as these negotiations could redefine contract standards for upcoming drafts.