Four rookie quarterbacks, including the first overall pick Fernando Mendoza, are still without contracts as training camps loom, a glaring exception to how these deals usually go down in today’s NFL. This isn’t just a minor blip; it’s getting really noticeable for some of the biggest names from the draft.
The Top Rookies Holding Out
We’re talking about the absolute top of the class here. Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders quarterback who went first overall, still hasn’t put pen to paper. Neither has Ty Simpson, the Rams quarterback taken 13th overall. Then you’ve got two third-round guys, Carson Beck, the Cardinals quarterback drafted 65th overall, and Drew Allar, the Steelers quarterback taken 76th overall. These are the future of their franchises, and they’re not locked in yet. It’s wild because before 2011, this kind of beat-the-clock drama with draft picks was standard. Now, most rookies have their deals done and dusted by Memorial Day weekend. This year, these four are the big, obvious exceptions to that rule.
What’s the Holdup?
Honestly, there isn’t a ton of wiggle room for negotiation anymore. The actual dollar figures for rookie contracts are pretty much set by a formula tied to their draft slot. That’s why most deals get done so quickly. In the past, the sticking points usually came down to how the signing bonus cash flow was structured, voiding of guarantees, or offsets on guarantees. You’d think these issues would be sorted out already. Rookie holdouts are super rare these days, a relic of a bygone era, which makes this whole situation even more perplexing. It’s almost a given that all these deals will eventually get done, because, let’s be real, they have to.
But here’s the kicker: no deal is truly done until it’s actually done. With training camps about to kick off, the pressure is mounting big time. Will these guys be there from day one? They need to be, absorbing the playbook, building chemistry with their new teammates. This delay is getting a little glaring for the first four quarterbacks taken, and every single team involved has to be hoping for some immediate good news.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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