Panic Meter for Notable Players Skipping 2026 NFL OTAs

By June 2, every team will have started organized team activities (OTAs). Although these workouts are voluntary, some players skip sessions for notable reasons.

In most cases, veterans aren't present at OTAs because they're dealing with or rehabbing injuries. Others are absent due to contract-related issues that could turn into holdouts or hold-ins by mandatory minicamp.

General managers and coaches often downplay the absence of veterans to focus on players who are present.

We'll look ahead at which situations could generate major buzz, with a panic meter ranging from one to 10.

On the panic meter, lower numbers indicate little concern and higher numbers foreshadow more complicated situations that could take longer to resolve.

Jacoby Brissett, QB, Arizona Cardinals

According to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss, the Arizona Cardinals have informed Jacoby Brissett that he's their starting quarterback.

So, of course, Brissett wants a salary that aligns with that lead status.

In the second year of a two-term deal, the 33-year-old has a base salary of $4.9 million with $1.5 million in guaranteed money this year. He's slated to make slightly more than Gardner Minshew II, who signed a one-year, $5.8 million contract with the Cardinals in free agency. 

Weinfuss reported that Arizona and Brissett are "significantly" far apart in negotiations, which raises questions about the signal-caller's short-term future with the team. 

The Cardinals may want to take a long look at rookie third-rounder Carson Beck before they acquiesce to Brissett's demands.

Weinfuss believes there's "potential" for Beck to be the Week 1 starter, though it's unlikely.

With Minshew and Beck on the roster, the Cardinals will have backup plans in case they're unable to strike a deal with Brissett. 

As a rebuilding team that will be eyeing a quarterback in next year's draft, this isn't a dire predicament. General manager Monti Ossenfort may be the only person feeling immense pressure because of the team's 15-36 record on his watch.

All that said, Arizona can afford to give Brissett a pay raise with $31.3 million in cap space.

Panic meter: 3

Josh Sweat, Edge, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat

The Arizona Cardinals have another early offseason situation to sort out, but for a different reason.

According to John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix (h/t AZ Sports' Tyler Drake), Josh Sweat is away from the team, but it's not an injury-related issue.

Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard added that Sweat "is not particularly happy" in Arizona.

Odegard didn't provide a timeline of Sweat's gripes with the team. He signed a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the club in 2025, reuniting with his former defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, who was fired in January.

Sweat played on playoff-contending Philadelphia Eagles teams and won a Super Bowl with them. Now, he's on a squad coming off a 3-14 campaign in a contract dispute with its starting quarterback. 

Just two years into a new deal, Sweat's absence might not be resolved with a more lucrative deal. At 29, he may want to play for a contender again.

Panic meter: 8

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

In recent years, Lamar Jackson has skipped OTAs, so his absence isn't out of the norm.

However, the Baltimore Ravens are installing a new offense under an incoming coaching staff led by first-time lead skipper Jesse Minter.

Remember, Jackson attended the first week of OTAs in the first offseason under former offensive coordinator Todd Monken and spoke glowingly about the play-caller's new system.

In fairness, Jackson was present for early spring workouts. Minter isn't concerned with the star quarterback's recent absences and told reporters he's been in communication with him.

Late in May, Jackson's absence isn't a major deal, but it could become one if he struggles to pick up play-caller Declan Doyle's system in the summer.

Panic meter: 5

Taron Johnson, CB, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson

The Las Vegas Raiders traded a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Taron Johnson and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

However, according to Vincent Bonsignore of California Post, Johnson hasn't reported to the Raiders due to a contract dispute. The 29-year-old cornerback is in the final two years of a non-guaranteed deal.

Las Vegas acquired Johnson to address a glaring need at the slot cornerback spot. 

Last year, Jeremy Chinn and Darnay Holmes lined up primarily in the nickel. Both allowed passer ratings of 104 or higher.

The Raiders didn't re-sign Holmes. In the second round of this year's draft, they selected Treydan Stukes, a slot cornerback out of Arizona.

Stukes has the skill set to be the Raiders' lead nickelback for the long term, but he could bolster the team's shallow safety group while Johnson mans the slot.

Even though the Raiders have a rookie to fill in for Johnson, they would have less flexibility without him because of needs at the nickelback and safety positions. 

In 2025, Johnson saw some decline in his coverage, allowing a 94.7 passer rating, though he's still the most proven and arguably the best slot defender on the Raiders' roster.

Panic meter: 4

Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara

In public comments to the media, New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis painted a murky picture of Alvin Kamara's short-term future with the team.

"We're just trying to see how he's going to fit on our roster," he said on May 18.

Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports thinks Kamara's presence would be a "surprise" as the Saints start OTAs this week:

"When the local media is present for OTA practices this week, there is bound to be more information on the Kamara talks. Either there'll be a surprise attendance by the back or head coach Kellen Moore will be prepared to share an update, knowing the one will eventually be requested during his availability."  

In March, New Orleans restructured Kamara's contract, though Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune and The Advocate reported that the team would "still like to address" the running back's contract.

At 31, in the final year of his deal, Kamara is a trade candidate. The Saints would only save $376,000 if they cut him after June 1. 

That said, Kamara may not have a robust trade market at his age, coming off a career-low 471 rushing yards, having missed 13 games over the last three seasons.

The Saints may be stuck in a holding pattern until Kamara agrees to another restructured deal or a team emerges to pay a premium for a tailback past his prime.

Panic meter: 6

A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown

At this point, most expect the Philadelphia Eagles to trade A.J. Brown.

The New England Patriots are widely considered to be the favored suitor, given the team's need for a lead receiver and the wideout's history with head coach Mike Vrabel, dating back to their time with the Tennessee Titans.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Eagles want a 2027 first-round pick for Brown, but the Patriots would prefer to give up less than that. Rapoport also dismissed the Los Angeles Rams as a potential trade partner.

Brown hasn't been with the Eagles amid trade speculation. 

Don't expect Philadelphia to move the 28-year-old wideout until after June 1, when his trade dead cap hit drops from $43.4 million to $16.4 million.

The Eagles don't seem worried about this situation. They signed Hollywood Brown, traded for Dontayvion Wicks and moved up for Makai Lemon in the first round of this year's draft. 

None of these wideout additions can replace Brown's production alone, but DeVonta Smith could be the go-to target for a deep receiver group in 2026.

Panic meter: 2

NFL player and salary cap details are provided by Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.