NFL Minicamp Holdout Predictions

It wouldn’t be NFL minicamp season without a bit of holdout drama.

Mandatory minicamps are underway across the NFL this week and next, with 31 of 32 teams (the Detroit Lions will not have a mandatory minicamp) officially taking the field for their final offseason workouts before training camp begins in July.

Unlike in voluntary workouts that took place over the last few weeks, players that miss mandatory minicamp are subject to fines of more than $100,000, depending on whether their absence is excused.

Some players, notably those seeking a new contract from their current team, intentionally skip these workouts to make a point and put pressure on the franchise to meet their number. This year, the list of holdouts has some serious star power.

Let’s go through each player currently holding out from mandatory minicamp and make a prediction for the fate of each.

T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt is seeking a new deal as he enters 2025 in the final year of his four-year, $112 million contract.

Under his current deal, the 7x Pro Bowler and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is the 19th-best paid non-quarterback in the league by average annual salary, and the 9th-best paid defensive player.

This offseason, he saw fellow edge rushers Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby sign record-breaking deals, so Watt is likely asking for an annual value that exceeds those of his All-Pro counterparts.

Prediction: Steelers sign Watt to record deal for a DE

Trey Hendrickson

If you thought Watt was being treated unfairly, we recommend you check out the situation brewing in Cincinnati between Trey Hendrickson and the Bengals.

Per Hendrickson, the Bengals are “no longer communicating” and there is “an evident lack of interest in reaching mutual goals” as it relates to agreeing to a new contract ahead of the 2025 season.

The Bengals have notably signed star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to lucrative long-term contracts this offseason.

Since signing with the Bengals in 2021, Hendrickson has recorded four-straight Pro Bowl seasons and 57 sacks, including an NFL-best 17.5 in 2024. The 30-year-old is currently on a one-year, $21 million deal, making him the 13th-highest paid defensive end in the NFL, per Spotrac.

Prediction: Hendrickson is traded

Jalen Ramsey & Jonnu Smith

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith are both non-participants in minicamp as they await their futures, whether it be in Miami or somewhere else.

Ramsey, a 3x All-Pro and one of the best defensive backs of the last decade, is expected to be traded, per multiple reports. The star corner’s holdout is more about waiting for a trade to materialize than a new contract.

Smith, who had a career-best year in 2024, is in the second year of a two-year, $8.4 million contract, and is seeking a new deal. Smith’s 884 receiving yards and 8 TD last year were 4th and tied-2nd among tight ends, respectively, yet his contract currently has him as the 32nd-best paid TE in the league in terms of AAV.

Prediction: Ramsey is traded, Smith re-signs in Miami

Terry McLaurin

Another player coming off a career year, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is seeking an extension like those signed by Chase, Higgins and D.K. Metcalf this offseason.

The 29-year-old is entering the final season of his three-year, $68.4 million deal signed in 2022.

McLaurin and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels formed one of the best tandems in the NFL last season, with ‘Scary Terry’ catching a career-best 13 TD as Washington reached the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1991.

Prediction: Commanders make McLaurin a top-8 paid WR in the league

James Cook

While Cook isn’t in pads or going through drills at Buffalo Bills minicamp, the star running back is in attendance as he seeks a new contract.

Cook broke out in his third NFL season, rushing for a league-best 16 TD. The Georgia product is the latest star running back to seek a lucrative contract extension, a topic that dominated news cycles last offseason when the New York Giants parted ways with Saquon Barkley and Tennessee Titans with Derrick Henry, both of whom made their former teams pay for not opening the checkbook.

The 25-year-old is in the final year of his four-year, $5.8 million rookie contract that pegs him as the 40th-highest paid RB by AAV.

Granted, that number has nothing to do with Cook’s on-field production, more his status as a 2nd round draft pick. Either way, Cook likely won’t suit up until he puts pen to paper on a new deal.

Prediction: Bills sign Cook to a deal worth at least $15 million per year

Shemar Stewart

It’s not often you see a rookie hold out of his first-ever NFL minicamp.

But that is what is happening with Cincinnati Bengals first round pick, edge rusher Shemar Stewart.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Stewart is unhappy with the language in his rookie contract, notably Cincinnati’s attempt to void future guaranteed money. The 2025 No. 17 overall pick said he will not practice until he signs his rookie deal.

When speaking to the media, Stewart said he has “no idea” when asked about a timetable regarding his contract.

Prediction: Bengals sign Stewart before training camp