Panic Meter for Potential 2025 NFL Training Camp Holdouts
NFL teams work through schematic basics during voluntary spring workouts. While it's not time to ring alarm bells about potential holdouts, a player's absence from organized team activities (OTAs) could signify a prolonged contract dispute.
Players aren't fined for skipping OTAs, but teams can penalize players for missing mandatory minicamp when unexcused absences related to contracts officially become holdouts, according to the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement.
When a star player holds out, it's a clear message to the organization that something needs to be done, usually a revised deal or an extension. In recent years, veterans have held in, appearing at training camp to avoid fines but not participating in team drills.
This offseason, star edge-rushers and offensive linemen headline contract standoffs. A couple of Pro Bowl-caliber skill players also want new deals.
We'll break down seven contract disputes that involve players who have missed OTAs and the probability that these situations result in a holdout or hold-in using the panic meter, ranging from one (least likely to hold out) to 10 (most likely to hold out).
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
1 of 7
This offseason, the Buffalo Bills signed wide receiver Khalil Shakir, edge-rusher Greg Rousseau and linebacker Terrel Bernard to extensions while they all had years left on their previous contracts.
James Cook wants the same, but Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane addressed the running back's contract situation with little urgency.
"I don't see us getting something done anytime soon…," he told reporters in late March. "We're onto the draft….just because we don't get something done this year doesn't mean we can't get something done before he's a free agent."
According to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe, Cook was the only Bills player who didn't attend OTAs in the last week of May. At this point in the offseason, he's not subject to fines because OTAs are voluntary workouts.
However, at a celebrity poker tournament, the 25-year-old declined to comment on whether he would hold out for a new deal.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the two-time Pro Bowler wants $16 million per year, which would make him among the three highest-paid players at his position based on average annual salary. On Instagram, Cook pinned a comment that set his demand at $15 million per year.
Last year, the Bills drafted Ray Davis in the fourth round and re-signed Ty Johnson in March. Quarterback Josh Allen finished second on the team in rushing yards (531) last season. Still, Cook is the Bills' clear-cut lead ball-carrier, and he tied Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs for a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
Cook has outplayed his rookie contract, but most running backs have little leverage in contract disputes. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Bills and the Georgia product were "never very close to finding real common ground."
Cook is unlikely to get a new deal, but he may hold in for a brief stretch at the beginning of training camp.
Holdout panic meter: 4
Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals
2 of 7
Trey Hendrickson's contract dispute with the Cincinnati Bengals has gone public, and he said it's "become personal, unfortunately" while at OTAs in street clothes.
Following his first All-Pro season, Hendrickson called out the Bengals for their lowball offers based on previous conversations with the team.
"The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are aware of these past conversations," he said in a statement to ESPN via Adam Schefter.
The 30-year-old has a strong stance in his standoff with the Bengals. When The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. asked if he would play under the current deal, the star pass-rusher said, "No."
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler talked to people around the league who believe Hendrickson is willing to miss games, and one source said: "He's extremely dug in."
The four-time Pro Bowler seems willing to incur fines and miss extended time to get what he believes was promised behind closed doors.
Despite his age, Hendrickson has the most leverage he will ever have in his career after leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season.
Holdout panic meter: 10
Elgton Jenkins, C, Green Bay Packers
3 of 7
Elgton Jenkins is in a unique situation because his contract dispute is connected to a position change from guard to center.
The 29-year-old has experience at the pivot position, but he has no guaranteed money left in the last two terms of his deal. Also, as ESPN's Rob Demovsky noted, he could make significantly less in the future because of a move to center.
"The problem, however, is that centers typically make far less than the highest-paid guards or tackles, so Jenkins' concerns are tied to future earnings, which could be significantly lower as a center," Demovsky wrote.
Demovsky noted the Packers "almost never" amend contracts with more than a year remaining on them. So, the team will either make an exception for Jenkins' circumstance, or the versatile offensive lineman has to wait until next offseason for a new deal unless he makes things uncomfortable for the team with a holdout.
As Green Bay's most accomplished offensive lineman, entering his age-30 term, Jenkins could force the team to go against its norm. The Packers allowed Josh Myers to walk in free agency, so they don't have a viable alternative option at center.
The front office should be concerned about Jenkins' potential lingering absence.
Holdout panic meter: 7
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
4 of 7
Entering the final year of his contract, Terry McLaurin has skipped OTAs. He's coming off his second Pro Bowl campaign, after catching 82 passes for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns.
The 29-year-old has been a model of consistency in Washington, racking up at least 1,002 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons, and he hasn't missed a game since 2020. The seventh-year veteran deserves a new deal, and the Commanders know it.
In March, general manager Adam Peters briefly commented on McLaurin's future with the team.
"We want to make Terry a Commander for a long time," he told reporters.
Even with the addition of wideouts Deebo Samuel, Michael Gallup and rookie fourth-rounder Jaylin Lane, it would be a surprise if the Commanders didn't sign McLaurin to a new contract. Quarterback Jayden Daniels needs his most reliable playmaker in Year 2 of his development.
Holdout panic meter: 1
Micah Parsons, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys
5 of 7
At some point in the near future, Micah Parsons will be the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. According to Clarence Hill of All City DLLS, the Dallas Cowboys have already offered their star edge-rusher such a contract.
The Cowboys have to iron out the fine details with Parsons' camp, though he's skipped voluntary spring workouts in the meantime. Still, the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro understands the significance of his attendance:
"I definitely think I need to be here in camp because, honestly, when so much of the defense is surrounded by your play and your presence, and others are getting lined up based off of you, I need to be here so that way I can get these guys accordingly. We can rush together, build that chemistry.
"So I think it's of extreme importance that I'm back at OTAs and minicamp...''
The Cowboys have reportedly earmarked the financial resources for Parsons' megadeal, and he sounds eager to be a true leader for the defense and in the locker room.
Usually, it takes time for teams to work out massive extensions, but Parsons doesn't sound like a strong holdout candidate, barring the Cowboys taking their historic offer off the table. If this lingers into the summer, he will likely hold in until his camp seals the deal.
Holdout panic meter: 2
Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles Chargers
6 of 7
Rashawn Slater made the AFC Pro Bowl team in his first year under head coach Jim Harbaugh's staff. He's a key pillar in the Los Angeles Chargers' new physical offensive identity that starts with the big men at the line of scrimmage.
At a premium position, the 26-year-old is entering the final year of his contract. So, he understandably wants a new deal after a standout campaign.
According to The Athletic's Daniel Popper, Slater missed the start of OTAs for the first time in his five-year career, so his absence is notable despite the voluntary nature of those practices.
In February, general manager Joe Hortiz told reporters that the team has "had conversations" about the Northwestern product's extension. While the Chargers haven't provided an update on those discussions, they're likely to get a deal done sooner rather than later.
Los Angeles has $26.8 million in cap space and a projected league-high $110.9 million for 2026. The front office has no reason to let this contract situation evolve into a full-blown holdout.
Holdout panic meter: 1
T.J. Watt, Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers
7 of 7
T.J. Watt is the Pittsburgh Steelers' best player and the heartbeat of their defense. He's led the league in sacks, tackles for loss or forced fumbles for five of the previous six seasons. The seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro won 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.
The Steelers aren't going to send a poor message to the locker room by playing hardball with a future Hall of Famer still playing at an elite level.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Pittsburgh has been in talks with the 30-year-old's camp about an extension since April. Despite his cryptic post on Instagram and absence during OTAs, the Steelers will likely take care of his contract situation before training camp.
General manager Omar Khan called Watt a "legacy guy" and told reporters that he "hopes" to get a deal done this offseason.
Watt is set to make about $28 million this year, though the Steelers will probably bump him up somewhere between $35-$40 million annually on a new contract.
Holdout panic meter: 2
NFL team cap space and player contract details are courtesy of Over the Cap.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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