The Biggest NFL Contract Holdouts and Training Camp Battles to Watch

NFL training camps open in late July, but the storylines shaping this season have been building for months. A crowded field of unresolved contract situations and fiercely contested position battles will determine how several franchises look when Week 1 kicks off. For bettors and fans alike, the next few weeks are worth watching closely.

From a Cowboys edge rusher on the verge of becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in football to a Super Bowl contender’s rookie cornerback trying to hold down a starting spot from day one, the drama is real and the stakes are high. Here is a look at the biggest contract holdouts and training camp competitions to monitor this summer.

Micah Parsons Is About to Become the Richest Non-QB in Football

The Dallas Cowboys and Micah Parsons have been circling an extension for some time, and every day without a signed deal costs both sides leverage and money. Parsons is widely expected to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL once an agreement is reached, and the Cowboys have signaled he is their offseason contract priority. The team has already indicated it will not pursue a long-term deal with wide receiver George Pickens this offseason, making the Parsons situation the defining negotiation in Dallas. For Cowboys fans hoping to compete in an NFC that feels wide open, having their best defensive player locked up before camp is paramount. If you want to bet on Dallas-related futures this summer, check out the online sportsbooks in Texas ahead of camp.

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers Have a Deadline

Baker Mayfield told reporters on June 5 that he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are “not anywhere close” on a new contract extension. He also made it clear: the team has until training camp to get something done. That is a self-imposed ultimatum that carries real consequences. If late July arrives without a deal, Mayfield heads into the season on his existing terms, and the distraction of an unresolved contract could follow the Buccaneers throughout the year. Tampa is a legitimate contender in the NFC South, and front office energy consumed by this negotiation is energy not spent elsewhere. Florida bettors monitoring the Bucs’ Super Bowl odds should keep an eye on this situation — you can track the latest lines at online sportsbooks in Florida.

Lamar Jackson Could Reset the Entire QB Market

Lamar Jackson has two years remaining on his current deal with the Baltimore Ravens at $53 million per year. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti publicly stated in January that he wanted an extension completed before the new league year began in March. That deadline came and went. A new deal for Jackson would almost certainly make him the highest-paid player in NFL history by total value, resetting the quarterback market in ways that would ripple through every future extension negotiation. The Ravens are one of the NFL’s most complete rosters, and locking Jackson in long-term would give Baltimore a sustainable championship window. Maryland bettors can find the best odds on the Ravens at online sportsbooks in Maryland.

The George Pickens Situation in Dallas

While Parsons commands most of the Cowboys’ contract attention, George Pickens has his own drama playing out. Pickens is playing under the franchise tag in 2026, worth $27.3 million fully guaranteed if he suits up. The Cowboys have been explicit: they are not negotiating a long-term extension with him this offseason. That leaves Pickens in an uncomfortable position — he can show up, collect a guaranteed $27.3 million, and prove his value, or he can skip minicamp and absorb fines while other wide receivers across the league sign lucrative long-term deals. His minicamp attendance was uncertain as recently as early June. It is a slow-burn situation that could ignite at any point. If you are looking to bet on Cowboys-related props this summer, a DraftKings promo code is a smart way to get started.

Position Battles That Could Shift Team Outlooks

Beyond the contract drama, several position competitions will have significant implications for Super Bowl contenders heading into camp. Three stand out as particularly consequential heading into July.

In Kansas City, the Chiefs enter camp with two starting cornerback spots wide open after Kader Kohou was traded and Taron Johnson departed for the Raiders. Rookie Mansoor Delane, taken with the sixth overall pick, arrives with first-round pedigree but will face immediate competition from veteran Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams. How quickly Delane can step in and perform at an NFL level will define Kansas City’s secondary. In Seattle, rookie running back Jadarian Price steps into a depth chart depleted by Zach Charbonnet’s torn ACL. Price could be a Week 1 starter if he wins the job outright during camp. In Houston, surprise first-round pick Keylan Rutledge faces a transition from right guard in college to center at the NFL level, competing with veteran Jake Andrews for the job protecting C.J. Stroud. The Texans’ offensive line health is directly tied to their playoff ceiling, and this battle will be worth watching from the first padded practice. Prop markets for these position battles are already live at FanDuel and BetMGM.

One More Situation to Monitor: Alvin Kamara

The New Orleans Saints running back situation is quietly one of the more puzzling stories of the offseason. Alvin Kamara unexpectedly showed up to one OTA practice week, then disappeared again and did not return for week three. His minicamp attendance remained uncertain as of mid-June. Whether this is a contract dispute, a personal matter, or simply a veteran managing his workload during the voluntary portion of the calendar is unclear — and the Saints have not offered much clarity. Kamara has been one of the most productive backs of his era, and the Saints’ offense looks considerably different without him in the lineup. Training camp will force some answers. For those looking to make the most of the offseason betting market, a Caesars Sportsbook promo code is worth grabbing before the summer heats up and the lines start moving.