Predicting How Trey Hendrickson, Terry McLaurin, NFL Holdouts Will End

Cuba Gooding Jr. becomes a familiar face on social media this time of year since Rod Tidwell's iconic line, "Show me the money!" from Jerry Maguire, is more relevant than ever.

The start of NFL training camps also means holdouts/hold-ins are officially underway, on top of several contract disputes from players who are practicing.

Just look at the Cincinnati Bengals. They opened camp with two absentees at the same position: rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart and All-Pro edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson. Granted, Stewart's dispute was recently resolved, but the Bengals aren't out of the woods yet with Hendrickson.

Here, we'll look at six contract disputes throughout the league, comprising a mix of holdouts, hold-ins and notable veterans who are practicing while seeking a new contract. 

We'll also look at how each situation got to this point, a recent update on the negotiations and the team's other options at the position will be outlined to help predict how negotiations will end.

Trey Hendrickson

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

How it got here: Hendrickson has been seeking a new contract from the Cincinnati Bengals for a while and has a decent argument. 

He has made four Pro Bowls in as many years with the Bengals, racking up 57 sacks with three double-digit sack seasons and back-to-back campaigns with 17.5 quarterback takedowns. The latter was enough to lead the NFL last season, earn a first-team All-Pro bid and finish in second place for Defensive Player of the Year.

However, the edge-rusher ranks just 11th in terms of dollars per year ($21 million) at his position, according to Over The Cap, and is looking for more long-term security while entering the last year of his deal.

Status update: Bengals owner Mike Brown said at the beginning of training camp that he thinks a deal will get done with Hendrickson. But NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported there's a hangup with how the organization handles guaranteed money.

"My understanding is the sides are still talking. There is some back and forth," he said (h/t Cincinnati Enquirer’s Dave Clark). "The total dollars should not really be a complicated matter here. The market is pretty well set after Maxx Crosby and Danielle Hunter and Myles Garrett got their deals. 

“This is about the Bengals' longstanding policy that they don't guarantee money beyond Year 1. They only guarantee the signing bonus. Well, they broke that with Joe Burrow. They broke that with Ja'Marr Chase. Are they going to do the same thing with Trey Hendrickson? 

"If they don't, if they won't give him any future guarantees, Hendrickson's made it very clear: He's not playing this season on his existing contract. He's not going to sign something that's not a multi-year commitment."

Bengals' other DEs: As mentioned in the introduction, the Bengals recently resolved the team's other holdout by agreeing to terms with rookie first-round pick Shemar Stewart. The defense also has Joseph Ossai, who is coming off a career-high five-sack performance in 2024, and 2023 first-round pick Myles Murphy at defensive end.

So, Cincinnati has a handful of young edge-rushers who have some potential to turn to this season. However, none of them can hold a candle to the four-time Pro Bowler's resume.

Prediction: Trade

Even if the 2024 sack leader returns, the Bengals defense still has major question marks. It ranked 25th in points and yards allowed last season with him in the lineup, and the biggest addition the front office made was Stewart, Hendrickson's eventual replacement.

The combination of the organization having young defensive ends who have been developing over the last few years, plus a new rookie, and not being willing to budge on the guaranteed money, makes it seem like a split is inevitable. 

That way, Hendrickson can get the financial security he's looking for, and the Bengals can give opportunities for Ossai, Murphy and Stewart to prove themselves while picking up draft capital to build for the future.

Terry McLaurin

AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

How it got here: McLaurin is arguably the most underrated wide receiver in the NFL despite being consistently productive while dealing with subpar quarterback play up until last season. 

For example, the 2019 third-round pick had 919 yards in 14 games as a rookie and has managed to eclipse 1,000 yards in each of the last five seasons, earning two Pro Bowls and a second-team All-Pro bid in the process.

Additionally, he is coming off a career-high 13 touchdowns in year one working with quarterback Jayden Daniels.

However, according to Over The Cap, McLaurin's $23.2 million per year ranks 17th among the league's wide receivers, two places behind new teammate Deebo Samuel ($23.85 million), whom the Commanders traded for in the offseason. Also, the soon-to-be 30-year-old is entering a contract year.

Status update: A week before he was supposed to report to training camp in Washington, McLaurin expressed his displeasure in the contract negotiations with the club.

"Everything that's transpired up to this point has been disappointing and frustrating," he said on July 15 (h/t The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala). "I've wanted to continue my career here. I've created my life here. … This has been somewhere where I’ve always wanted to be. 

"I understand everything's a business, but at the same time I want to put myself in a position where I'm valued and I feel appreciated and things like that, and unfortunately that hasn't transpired the way I wanted it to."

General manager Adam Peters responded by stating, "We'll do everything we can to get a deal done," via ESPN's John Keim, and the receiver showed up to camp on Sunday. 

However, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported he'll be placed on the PUP list and won't be practicing until a new deal is agreed upon. In other words, the only change is that the situation goes from a holdout to a hold-in, where McLaurin will no longer be racking up fines.

Commanders' other WRs: While the offseason addition of Samuel gives Washington's receiving corps another former All-Pro, he's coming off a down year and the team is thin at wide receiver.

For example, the offense's second-leading receiver last year was 34-year-old tight end Zach Ertz, who recorded over 400 fewer yards than McLaurin.

Prediction: 3-year, $90 million extension

It's clear both sides want to get a deal done, and the Commanders are looking to make a Super Bowl push while Daniels is still on a rookie contract. So, there are enough reasons to believe a mutually beneficial resolution is coming. 

The guaranteed money, especially given McLaurin's age, will be interesting to keep tabs on. But $30 million per year is about the market rate for a receiver of his caliber and would place him at a similar figure as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyreek Hill and Brandon Aiyuk.

James Cook

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

How it got here: After serving as the Buffalo Bills' No. 2 running back behind Devin Singletary during his rookie season, James Cook has proved he can carry the load over the last two years. 

He recorded 1,122 rushing yards in 2023 and put up 1,009 yards with a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns a year ago, both of which were good enough to earn a spot on the Pro Bowl. 

Now, the 2022 second-round pick is looking for a significant raise from the roughly $1.5 million per year contract he's currently playing on. For comparison, his figure is more than $100,000 below Kaleb Johnson's, per Over The Cap, who the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted in the third round last April.

Status update: Cook reported to training camp on time and is participating in practice. But that's primarily to avoid losing money, and he's been vocal about wanting a new contract that is toward the top of the market. 

"It's my job," Cook said on July 24 when asked why he reported to camp (h/t Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN). "I got to participate so I won't get fined and just come out here and just show them that I'm ready to go and earn what I got to go get.

"... I mean, I deserve what I want, I need, and it's going to eventually happen. I mean, however it happens, it's going to get done. Wherever it happens at."

In the column cited above, Getzenberg added that the running back is looking for a new contract in the $15 million-per-year range, which would be the third-highest at the position. Getzenberg also included a quote from general manager Brandon Beane for the team's perspective on the negotiations.

"Sometimes you can't get on the same page or sometimes you're trying to fit it in," Beane said. "There's times guys have left here that we really wanted. We just couldn't make it work. 

"But I can tell you, I'm hopeful, when we're sitting here at next year's training camp that James Cook is out there practicing and still representing the red, white and blue."

Bills' other RBs: A big part of what gives the 2024 rushing touchdown king some leverage is that the Bills don't have many other options at running back. Josh Allen (531 yards) was the offense's second-leading rusher last year, while Ray Davis (442) was third and Ty Johnson (213) was fourth.

Davis is entering his second season and could eventually take over in Buffalo's backfield, but that would be a steep drop-off in production if negotiations with Cook take a dramatic turn for the worse.

Prediction: Negotiations continue into the offseason

It doesn't seem like the two-time Pro Bowler is willing or looking to sit out this season as a play for a bargaining chip, and Beane's comments above suggest he's not in a rush to re-sign the running back.

So, the most likely outcome is Cook plays out his rookie contract and uses free agency as leverage to get a new deal done in the spring.

Elgton Jenkins

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

How it got here: Since getting drafted by the Green Bay Packers six years ago, Jenkins has proved to be a versatile offensive lineman. He's recorded at least 350 snaps at four out of five positions in the trenches, per Pro Football Focus, while earning Pro Bowl bids in 2020 and 2022.

With last year's starting center, Josh Myers, departing in free agency, the Packers are asking the 2019 second-round pick to switch positions again. He's willing to do that for the team, but not without more compensation/financial security.

However, unlike the other players featured here, the offensive lineman has two years left on his current contract, which complicates matters and reduces his leverage. His concern, though, is that he's doing the team a favor by changing positions, but centers typically make less money than guards.

For example, Creed Humphrey is the league's highest-paid center at $18 million a year, and that figure would rank fourth among left guards, per Over The Cap. 

Status update: Jenkins reported to training camp on time, but he isn't practicing while on the NFI list with a back injury. That's led many to speculate he's conducting a hold-in, but general manager Brian Gutekunst shot down those rumors before the team’s first practice.

"Gutekunst said he hopes Jenkins will be out there ‘soon,’ and also claimed that Jenkins has indicated he will practice once he is healthy enough to do so," Packers Wire’s Mark Oldacres wrote on July 23. “...Gutekunst told the media Wednesday: ‘Elgton's always done right by us, I think we've always done right by him.'"

Packers’ other IOLs: As mentioned, Green Bay doesn't have many other options at center, hence this situation is occurring in the first place. 

However, the offense does have several interior offensive linemen after signing Aaron Banks in free agency and drafting Anthony Belton (a tackle who can play guard) in the offseason. Also, young guards Sean Rhyan and Jordan Morgan return from last year's team.

In other words, the Packers are handcuffed when it comes to this year's center, but they have options on the interior line as a whole moving forward.

Prediction: More guaranteed money but no extension

Jenkins doesn't have much leverage with two years left on his contract. Also, he'll be a 31-year-old free agent when the current deal expires, and the organization is likely hesitant to extend an aging player with younger options already on the roster. 

So, the best solution for both parties is to increase Jenkins' salary without tacking on any more years. That way, the Packers provide him a "thank you" for sacrificing for the team by switching positions, and he’s happier with more money in his pocket.

Jauan Jennings

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

How it got here: After primarily being a special teams contributor and backup wide receiver during the first three years of his career, Jennings stepped up big-time when the San Francisco 49ers' receiving corps was bitten by the injury bug last year.

He started a career high 10 games in 2024, his previous most was four stars in 2022, and set career highs with 77 receptions for 975 yards and six touchdowns last season. Additionally, he drew the most targets (113) on the team and trailed only tight end George Kittle as the 49ers' leading receiver statistically.

In other words, the 2020 seventh-round pick provided stability to a very unstable position group in 2024. Now, he's entering the final season of a two-year, $15.4 million contract and would like to be rewarded for holding down the fort last fall with a new, more lucrative deal.

Status update: While it was originally reported Jennings gave San Francisco an ultimatum, head coach Kyle Shanahan recently said the wideout hasn't formally asked for a trade and has been participating in practice. But general manager John Lynch did acknowledge that negotiations for a new contract are happening.

"You guys know our feelings on J.J.," Lynch said on July 22. "He embodies what we think the Niners are all about. He plays the right way, and we love him. I think all that stuff, we're not gonna get into the contract talks and all that, that takes care of itself. But we love him, and he's here."

There haven’t been any updates on how the talks are progressing, but the fifth-year pro has some extra leverage since the offense’s receiving corps is depleted once again heading into the upcoming campaign.

Deebo Samuel was traded in the offseason, Brandon Aiyuk still doesn’t have a “concrete timeline” to return from the torn ACL and MCL that prematurely ended his 2024 campaign per Lynch, and Ricky Pearsall began training camp on PUP with a hamstring injury.

49ers’ other WRs: Pearsall got activated on Sunday, which helps the 49ers gain back some leverage in negotiations with Jennings. However, the second-year pro battled hamstring and foot issues as a rookie, meaning he's been injured the majority of the time he's been with he club.

Especially with Aiyuk sidelined, San Francisco doesn’t have much depth at wide receiver. The organization's two big offseason additions were signing Demarcus Robinson in free agency and drafting Jordan Watkins in the fourth round. 

Robinson has recorded more than 500 receiving yards during the regular season once in his nine-year career, while Shanahan's offense is notoriously difficult for rookies to pick up. Plus, relying on a Day 3 selection to be a significant contributor in year one would be a dicey proposition.

In other words, the club might have to give in to Jennings if it wants to be competitive in the NFC this fall.

Prediction: 2-year extension

The amount here will be interesting since the wideout's demands haven't been made public. But the fact that he's willing to practice and hasn't formally asked for a trade suggests he's not looking for an unreasonable number. 

Meanwhile, the 49ers are an organization that typically takes care of its own, and Lynch has already expressed gratitude for Jennings via the quote above. So, it seems like a middle ground should be easy to find in this situation, and tacking on a couple of years to the receiver’s deal will give him the security he’s looking for.

Courtland Sutton

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Editor's Note: Sutton and Denver agreed to a four-year, $92 million extension on Monday, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

How it got here: Similar to McLaurin, Sutton has been productive despite dealing with bad quarterback play during his tenure with the Denver Broncos. He's recorded at least 700 yards in every season that he's participated in more than one game.

Also like McLaurin, the Broncos wideout finally got some competent quarterback play a year ago and managed to post the most receiving yards (1,081) he’s had since 2019.

Additionally, he quickly became Bo Nix’s go-to target by leading the team with 135 targets in 2024, 65 more than anyone else and 80 more than any other wide receiver. 

With the 29-year-old about to enter a contract year, and turning 30 in October, he's looking to get an extension before the upcoming campaign begins.

Status update: Sutton has been seeking a new contract since last year, skipping out on the team’s voluntary offseason program in 2024. However, that only resulted in the organization tacking on a few incentives in lieu of an extension, and he's been a full participant during OTAs, minicamp and training camp this year.

Neither side is providing details on how the negotiations are going, which head coach Sean Payton made clear on July 23.

"There's a number of guys—you're going to ask me about contracts some that are being worked on," Payton said (h/t ESPN's Jeff Legwold). "Some we would never discuss with you and those guys are getting worked on. There's been good communication and I'm just going to leave it at that."

Peyton went on to acknowledge how important the wide receiver is to the Broncos’ offense, and general manager George Paton has expressed confidence that a new deal will get done, according to Legwold.

So, while the public is getting left in the dark, it does seem like talks are moving in the right direction.

Broncos' other WRs: Many expected Denver to be active in the wide receiver market this offseason, given the position group's lack of productivity outside of Sutton.

However, the front office didn’t do much, signing Trent Sherfield and spending a third-round pick on Pat Bryant as the most notable additions.

Sherfield is coming off a campaign where he logged just 83 receiving yards with the Minnesota Vikings, while Bryant was considered "an adequate WR3" by the Bleacher Report Scouting Department.

In other words, the team's No. 1 receiver is in no danger of losing his standing on the depth chart or sacrificing his target share this season. 

Prediction: 3-year, $75 million contract extension

Sutton is widely considered one of the best contested catch wideouts in the NFL. However, his current $13.75 million per year salary ranks 26th at the position, per Over The Cap. Bumping him up to $25 million puts him right above Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, who has a similar skill set and production.

Based on Payton's and Paton's comments above, it seems as if the organization wants to keep the offense's top target around, and he's clearly looking forward to being part of the team by showing up to practice during negotiations.

The figure above would keep him in Denver for the next few years while giving him a market-appropriate salary.