Aaron Rodgers, Micah Parsons headline 8 gamers to look at at NFL minicamps
Summer season break is almost right here for the overwhelming majority of NFL groups. Other than the Chicago Bears, who held their necessary minicamp final week, and the Detroit Lions, who don’t have one this 12 months, each different membership will wrap up offseason practices throughout the subsequent two weeks.
Because the groups look to finish their spring packages on a excessive word, listed here are the eight largest names to look at on the remaining necessary minicamps — from big-name additions, disgruntled gamers, contract holdouts and rookies.
Tuesday will mark Rodgers’ first follow with the Steelers, whose endurance paid off when the four-time MVP signed a one-year take care of the franchise after a chronic courtship.
Pittsburgh and its new quarterback are behind the eight-ball, in fact. By ready till after OTAs to signal with the workforce, Rodgers will get simply three days of offseason practices with the Steelers’ offense earlier than coaching camp. However the 41-year-old’s expertise may streamline the method. He additionally labored out together with his new prime receiver, DK Metcalf, earlier within the offseason.
Whether or not Cousins holds in or skips necessary minicamp all collectively — and incurs fines — stays to be seen. His desire is to be launched by the Falcons, as he needs to be a beginning quarterback within the NFL this season and that gained’t are available in Atlanta, which is dedicated to Michael Penix Jr. Whereas Cousins didn’t follow throughout OTAs, he reported for the beginning of voluntary exercises.
A commerce is sensible for the Falcons if one other workforce picks up a major chunk of the assured cash Cousins is due, which incorporates his $27 million base wage for 2025 and $10 million roster bonus for 2026. However Cousins additionally has a no-trade clause, giving him a say in a possible commerce.
Amid his contract dispute with the Bengals, Hendrickson has vowed that he gained’t play and not using a new deal. So any replace on his availability, or lack thereof, when Cincinnati hits the sphere Tuesday is noteworthy.
The All-Professional edge rusher skipped OTA practices. He mentioned in Could that coach Zac Taylor despatched him a textual content message informing him that he can be fined if he misses necessary minicamp, which prompted his determination to talk out to native and nationwide media.
If Stewart just isn’t practising at necessary minicamp, it will be a sign that the dispute over the language in his rookie contract stays ongoing. The No. 17 general decide has been current with the workforce however has but to follow since being drafted in April, which could possibly be a setback to his improvement.
Stewart is considered one of six first-round picks who’ve but to signal their rookie deal, however the former Texas A&M standout edge is the one one not practising for contract-related causes.
Parsons has already mentioned that he’ll attend minicamp, however his on-field participation (or lack thereof) may point out whether or not there’s been progress on an extension. He was current for elements of the offseason program.
Micah Parsons will probably be current at minicamp regardless of contract dispute
Coming into the final 12 months of his contract, McLaurin may skip necessary minicamp, simply as he did in 2022, when he was additionally searching for a brand new deal (and finally acquired a three-year extension). The Professional Bowl receiver “unexpectedly” left the Commanders’ voluntary exercises after beforehand attending, displaying frustration with the shortage of progress on the contract entrance, based on FOX Sports activities’ Jordan Schultz.
The All-Professional edge skipped OTAs as he’s searching for a contract extension, so whether or not he reveals up for minicamp will probably be a storyline to look at. Again in April, Watt posted a photograph on his Instagram story holding up a peace signal, resulting in hypothesis about his future in Pittsburgh.
Prepare dinner is one other robust choice to both hold-in or miss minicamp. Coming into the final 12 months of his rookie contract, Prepare dinner skipped OTAs.
Coming off a career-high 16 speeding touchdowns and his second straight 1,000-yard speeding season in 2024, the previous second-round decide seeks a brand new deal whereas different members of his draft class — broad receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford — have already acquired extensions from Buffalo this offseason.
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a 12 months and a half. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You’ll be able to observe Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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