With training camps opening up, attention is naturally being drawn to players with potential motivation to stage a ‘hold-out,’ or more recently, a ‘hold-in.’ One such player is Raiders tight end Darren Waller, whose contract status has generated plenty of speculation this offseason. 
The 29-year-old has emerged as one of the league’s top players at his position, making him a logical candidate for an extension more in line with his recent production. The team wouldn’t necessarily be obligated to re-work his deal right away, though, as Waller has two years remaining on his current contract, with scheduled salaries of $6.25MM remaining.
That figure pales in comparison to the compensation many other, less accomplished TEs will be receiving in 2022. The position has seen a notable upward trend this offseason, especially as a result of the $54.75MM deal given to David Njoku of the Browns. That, coupled with the fact that there is no guaranteed money remaining on Waller’s deal, has led to some speculation that he could try to force the Raiders’ hand in contract talks in the build-up to camp.
Instead, the former sixth-rounder has indeed reported to camp, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (Twitter link). Part of the reason he was expected to do so, no doubt, is the extent to which contract talks have been ongoing for more than a month. A new deal was reported to be imminent in June, although Vegas’ preference could very well be to wait one more year to finalize an extension. To that point, Fowler adds that Waller and the team appear to be “all-in” on the 2022 campaign, one filled with high expectations on all fronts.
The Raiders currently rank third in the league in cap space, so a deal pushing some money upfront on a multi-year extension would be feasible for the team. How much progress is made in the coming weeks will likely dictate Waller’s short-term (and, potentially, long-term) financial future.
Just thinking out loud here? I get players want the security of the longer contract to protect long term injury risk but if financial gains are the biggest motivator you’d think a one year contract or at best 2 would be the most a player would want? The NFL is a cash cow! When a player can take advantage of the ever growing cap and what teams pay at top contract, why not? Waller is making half of the top TEs now! In a few years Murray’s contract in Arizona will be a middle of the road deal!
I’m sorry. But I think that he’s under contract. He signed it. No gun was to his head. If he had a bad year last year, would he be giving money back?
Live up to your word and play on the contract you signed.
Unless you’re a declining veteran who takes a pay cut, most younger stars would want a more expensive one year deal. You are giving up security with a one year deal, so you’re gonna want more money. Trust me, I don’t think any party wants to do one year deals. Owners don’t live up to the contracts so why should players? Take Jarvis Landry, he was signed for 15 million this year but the Browns waived him and now he’s making much much less
He’s making about half his market rate and he’s 29. Hard to blame him.
The rate this is going, someone, likely a QB, will be making a billion dollar contract within the next 10 years. The NFL is already becoming laughable and hard to watch for many of us. I’m not sure I could tolerate someone getting paid that much to play a game. This was an “any man” team sport into the 80’s, where players still had regular jobs in the off season.
I bet owners didn’t get a 4 billion dollar Sunday Ticket contract like they’re going to get next year from either Apple TV or Amazon. Why shouldn’t the players get money.
I get it, but I don’t think regular Americans are going to keep sitting around swilling beers while watching billionaires play a game. I’m cynical. It’s not sustainable in my opinion. Just an opinion. We’ll find other things to root for.
The problem with that is the NFL has a monopoly. You want football in the fall and winter, the NFL is the only game in town. Once owners stop making money, they will pay the players less. Football is different because of the cap where everyone theoretically pays the same. Baseball is basically 4 teams from each league that can spend and the rest have a short window
You’ve proven you know nothing about mlb stop trying
So owners should make billions and not the guys destroying their bodies for the game, because they need to be more relatable?
No. I’m asking you, are you going to sit and watch a bunch of billionaires playing a game? It is unrelatable in my opinion. A society made up of mostly middle and lower class people will not continue to support players and owners who are making what it’d take us a thousand lifetimes to make. This isn’t players vs owners, it’s entertainment dollars and it will find itself unsustainable soon.
I don’t watch 300 pound world class athletes because I find them relatable.
As long as there is “action on the side”, middle and lower class people will keep watching. Legalized gambling and American football were made for each other.
Mahomes Singed his deal 2 years ago. Now he sits in 4th place in the QB market. I agree do shorter deals.
link to usatoday.com
Just guarantee the remaining money on his contract and he will be much happier. If he wasn’t so injured last season it would be a no brainer to extend him. If he can show he is healthy and can stay that way, he will get paid big time.
Shouldn’t the Raiders apply for a gambling license and add slot machines to their stadium? Wouldn’t they make a fortune doing that?