The 2025 NFL offseason has been marked by a wave of contract disputes, as several high-profile players have chosen to either hold in or hold out in pursuit of new deals. With the salary cap continuing to rise and recent blockbuster contracts resetting market values across multiple positions, star players are taking calculated stands to secure their financial futures. Hold-ins—where players report to training camp but limit participation—have become a strategic alternative to traditional holdouts, allowing athletes to avoid fines while still applying pressure on team front offices. As teams balance cap management with retaining elite talent, these negotiations are shaping the landscape of the upcoming season.
OL Elgton Jenkins- Green Bay Packers
Elgton Jenkins is a Former guard who is transitioning to center. Traditionally, guards are paid at a higher rate than centers. Jenkins carries a 17 million cap hit, the second highest among centers. On the surface, this may seem like an unlikely candidate for a holdout/hold-in situation. The problem with the contract is that he has zero money guaranteed on the current contract. Financial security is huge for many players, and if you ask me Jenkins has leverage in this situation, as a 2-time Pro-Bowler and the anchor to the Packers’ line. The Packers have a tough decision to make if Jenkins starts making this a sticky situation with two years left on his contract. Could this force a late offseason release? Only time will tell, but Jenkins could be a massive addition to another team if the opportunity arose.
Shemar Stewart- Cincinnati Bengals
The 2025 first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals is still unsigned and doesn’t plan to sign unless the non-guaranteed language is taken out of the contract. Typically the first-round picks receive fully guaranteed money. The Bengals are trying to go away from this and Shemar Stewart is not having it. He is threatening to re-enter the draft in 2026 and forfeit a year of play, making him an obvious holdout candidate. If this happens it would truly be a disaster for the Bengals front office, one that already has a bit of a reputation. Once again the Bengals are in a contract dispute in the offseason and distractions have affected this team in the early part of the regular season in the past. If this nonsense doesn’t end soon I see another slow start to the 2025 season.
Terry McLaurin- Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin is currently around 23 million for the 2025 season and feels undervalued in the current boom of the wide receiver market, making him a perfect candidate to hold out. Last season in 2024 McLaurin had over 80 catches and 1000-plus receiving yards. Not to mention, riding high after an NFC title appearance against the world-champion Philadelphia Eagles. This ongoing absence of Scary Terry during offseason activities could very well affect Jayden Daniels‘ growth curve for his sophomore season in the NFL, not only as a distraction but a catalyst for a slow start to the regular season due to a lack of reps while the holdout was underway. I think if the Commanders want to be a serious contender, they need to pay Terry McLaurin his worth and move on so Jayden can continue to grow and prosper as a young NFL quarterback.
T.J Watt- Pittsburgh Steelers
This situation in 2025 is not new to TJ Watt; however, he is a bit older and maybe a step or two slower. However, this isn’t stopping TJ from asking to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL., At 31 years old this is a lucrative request. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been making more moves this offseason than in recent memory Omar Khan isn’t cooking up a brand new roster just to have TJ not be a part of it. I believe the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade opens the door for teams to call about TJ, but the odds the Steelers deal TJ is around 1%. Many Steelers fans view TJ Watt as a one-helmet guy, and it would take an extremely lucrative offer to get TJ Watt on another team. That being said I do think the Steelers break the bank on TJ but look for a shorter-term deal around 3 years. If the deal is 5 years or more, the Steelers will look for an easy out at the end of the contract, so the Steelers can cut ties in a financially responsible manner. The only question left is whether TJ will play hardball by sticking to his demands. Or will he cave, due to his love for the game, similar to the first time he held in for a contract negotiation?
While the wave of high-profile NFL holdouts in 2025 has generated significant headlines and stirred debate across the league, I believe that each of these players will ultimately reach new deals before Week 1 of the regular season. The stakes are simply too high, for the players seeking long-term security, and for the teams aiming to compete at the highest level. With rising salary caps, shifting market values, and the clear leverage many of these stars hold, both sides have strong incentives to find common ground. As training camp approaches and pressure mounts, expect negotiations to accelerate and resolutions to follow. These holdouts may create short-term tension, but they are unlikely to spill into the regular season.
