Several second-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft remain unsigned as they seek fully guaranteed rookie contracts, according to Joel Corry of CBS Sports.
Back in May, the Texans gave No. 34 pick Jayden Higgins a fully guaranteed deal, the first of its kind for a second-round pick. In past years, the first few picks of the second round have received three years of fully-guaranteed money with increasing fourth-year guarantees after each draft. The Texans’ move put pressure on the Browns to do the same with No. 33 pick Carson Schwesinger, which they did the next day.
With this new precedent, Saints second-round quarterback Tyler Shough is demanding a fully-guaranteed rookie contract of his own, per Corry. That would be a sizable jump from 2024 No. 40 pick Cooper DeJean, who only received partial guarantees in his third year and none in his fourth, per OverTheCap. Shough was taken with pick No. 40, six spots after Higgins, but the recent retirement of Derek Carr has positioned him as the Saints’ starting quarterback, giving him some extra leverage in negotiations.
Knowing that, the players drafted between Higgins and Shough are waiting to sign with their teams. If Shough can get a fully guaranteed contract from the Saints, every player selected before him will have an argument to receive the same deal. However, their teams will argue that Shough’s situation – and quarterbacks in general – are unique when it comes to contract negotiations.
Players selected in the early 40s will also be “hoping to benefit from a trickle-down effect” from Shough’s negotiations, according to Corry. If he extracts a fully guaranteed deal, the next few picks will push for their first three years to be fully guaranteed and potentially ask for guarantees in the fourth year as well.
Would NFL Players take fully guaranteed contracts (like other sports), but in exchange honor the term and compensation in them? You never see a player in the MLB, NBA, or NHL hold out for a new contract before their current one expires, but they also get them fully guaranteed.
You just answered your own question.
NFL players would loooove fully guaranteed contracts. This isn’t even a question, imo.
Makes sense that Shough would want to maximize his short term guarantees. These are his peak years after all.
I don’t this is on the player. It’s the agents pushing this. If they can set a precedent now, they can force teams into every year going forward.
I agree on the issue from his perspective, but from the Saints’, I don’t see why they would do so except to keep him happy. Right now, there’s nothing empirical showing that Shough would be better than what New Orleans already has. Shough could be, he could not be, but New Orleans really has nothing other than optimism to suggest the former.
It is a relatively small amount of money cap-wise, though, so I don’t think that it should be that big a deal. It’s not Shough’s problem that the Saints are eternally up against the cap (presuming this trend continues), but it’s also not New Orleans’ problem that Shough is old for a rookie. I think that the team is more worried about precedent setting than anything right now, because it’s not a large sum for them at the end of the day.
I was making a joke about Shough being almost 26. Makes sense to fight for it when some players are getting it, especially for a player that has very high bust potential.
Oh, I agree. That’s why I acknowledged it as him being old. It’s a joke, but also true at the same time.
We all know where this is headed right? Eventually the team mascots will be demanding guaranteed contracts 🙂
This is why it’s great to be the Steelers owner. No mascot, no cheerleaders, less contract hassles. And you save even more by only having to paint the logo on one side of the helmet. 😉
I’d like to see every NFL contract be fully guaranteed. No signing bonus. Just salary. And 50% of overall revenue too. Eff the billionaires.
50%? lol good luck with that
Hey. There is not a quality product with out quality players. Look at the NCAA or the UFL. Yawn.
The players were at 48% from 11-20 IIRC before they got locked out.
GO FOR IT !!
Get all you can get !!
For as long as you can get it.
Your leverage will never be better.
Who knows how SHORT your career may be.
Would be nice but I don’t think Shough is the guy they would break for.
I would think there is a middle ground to meet on. 2 year guarantee with say qualifying for 3rd year.Football careers can be very short, with injuries. Teams are not shy about cutting someone because it is a business. The player’s deserve the same options. We should not judge an athlete for wanting to maximize their earning potential. Consider what me pay for tickets. Anything in regard to sports are huge profit margins.
I see nothing wrong with guaranteeing a four-year deal for a second round QB. It is pennies in the grand scheme of things.