NFL training camp season officially begins to open up. All 32 teams will be ready with their complete squad and training camp will be open by the end of Tuesday. Practices are set to start on the following day. NFL Network will cover every camp live this weekend.
Seemingly, it is a tradition at this time that players would hold out from their teams hoping for a call with a better deal. Several players have already missed OTAs and minicamps as they were waiting for lucrative new deals.
Jessie Bates, Orlando Brown Jr., and Roquan Smith are three of the players holding out and yet to sign in.
Jessie Bates:
Bates was offered the franchise tag by the Bengals at the start of the offseason, but he is yet to sign it. However, he can avoid potential fines as technically he’s not under contract.
Orlando Brown Jr.:
Despite being offered the franchise tag like Bates, he’s holding out as he seeks a longer-term deal. Reportedly, Brown even declined an offer of $18.2 million per season for a five years deal.
Mike Garafolo tweeted on Monday that Brown might be out of the training camp and is not expected to appear anytime soon.
Roquan Smith:
During this offseason, Roquan Smith expressed optimism in signing a deal. But he is also holding out.
Meanwhile, Jaguars, Bills, Raiders, and Rams— all four teams are ready with their full squad awaiting camp. The former two teams will be playing in the Hall of Fame while the latter two will open the season. The season will unveil its curtain on September 8 (Thursday).
