Deal or No Deal? Predictions for Latest NFL Contract Disputes at 2024 Training Camp

The start of NFL training camp is always good for excitement, but a bit of drama normally accompanies it, too.

As usual, a few notable players are trying to leverage their way into a contract extension.

While the holdouts—or, in some cases, hold-ins—often result in a new agreement, that's not always immediately the case.

Ahead, we're predicting whether the latest contract disputes will be resolved in time for the 2024 season opener.

Trent Williams has three more seasons on his contract, but zero dollars beyond a prorated signing bonus are guaranteed.

It's only sensible that he's holding out.

Early this offseason, San Francisco addressed a similar situation with running back Christian McCaffrey. They reworked his deal, included $24 million in guarantees and still have flexibility after the 2025 season.

Given that Williams is 36 years old, the Niners won't be offering a true long-term contract. Any restructure will probably result in void years getting tacked on—especially because the team is planning ahead for Brock Purdy's pricey extension as soon as next offseason.

San Francisco must be careful with the structure, but Williams will get his deserved raise before the opener.

Prediction: Deal

When the New York Jets acquired Haason Reddick earlier this offseason, it seemed like an extension was inevitable.

After all, the edge-rusher is entering the final year of his contract. In those situations, trades can effectively be contingent on the acquiring team working out an agreement in advance with the player—which happened with the New York Giants and Brian Burns, for example.

Obviously, that didn't happen here.

Reddick wasn't a participant in OTAs or minicamp and isn't at training camp, facing a $50,000 fine for each day of his absence.

Neither side appears eager to end the standoff, either. ESPN's Rich Cimini reported the Jets aren't planning to negotiate with Reddick until he's with the team at camp.

At this point, it shouldn't be a surprise if Reddick joins New York as late as possible or continues his holdout into the season.

Prediction: No deal

Despite the drama Brandon Aiyuk has created this offseason, his value to San Francisco is apparent. General manager John Lynch has repeatedly said he expects Aiyuk to play for the Niners in 2024, too.

The difference between him and Williams, however, is the 49ers can manage without him in the short term.

To be clear, Aiyuk is a crucial part of a Super Bowl chase. San Francisco cannot adequately replace Williams at left tackle, but the receiving corps has workable depth with Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and rookie Ricky Pearsall in a run-heavy offense.

Aiyuk simply does not have as much leverage.

Considering that a deal couldn't be reached before Amon-Ra St. Brown and Justin Jefferson signed extensions of $30-plus million annually, expecting these negotiations to linger into the season is reasonable.

Prediction: No deal

Not a great offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, huh?

Back in January, owner Jerry Jones preached an "all-in" mentality about 2024. Dallas then did very little in free agency. And as August nears, the franchise hasn't extended quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb or pass-rusher Micah Parsons.

Lamb is holding out of training camp, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic said the situation is unlikely to be resolved soon.

However, I wouldn't panic. Yet.

As stubborn as Jones can operate, he surely recognizes that a holdout lingering into the season would be a huge problem for the offense. Dallas probably won't have the star wideout at practice for a couple of weeks but needs to lock in Lamb—who's entering the final year of his contract—before the season kicks off.

Prediction: Deal