With the season kicking off, most of the buzz is about players getting ready for Week 1. But it's not that simple for several standouts.
The start of training camps brought contract situations to a head, resulting in players staying away from camp or, in recent years, reporting to camp to avoid fines but avoiding practice until their financial situations are addressed. That's what we tracked, as several big-name players limited their participation in practice, didn't practice at all or chose not to report, subjecting themselves to daily fines that won't be reimbursed.
Here's a look at 10 players who were in limbo at the start of training camp, along with updates from our NFL Nation writers. Most of these situations have been resolved, with Trent Williams agreeing to end his holdout and return to the 49ers on Tuesday. But the Haason Reddick/Jets saga is still going, and Ja'Marr Chase's situation with the Bengals is tenuous at the moment.
Still pending/recently resolved situations
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
Status: Reported to camp, not practicing, status for Week 1 unknown
A potential Chase negotiation is going down to the wire. If things don't get wrapped up quickly, Chase will trend toward not playing in the team's season opener. And given that the Bengals historically do not give major extensions during the season, this could drag on for a while. If Chase isn't on the field, look for Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin to get more reps alongside Tee Higgins, who will serve as QB Joe Burrow's primary target. -- Ben Baby, Bengals reporter
Updated Sept. 3
Haason Reddick, Edge, Jets
Status: Holding out, requesting a trade
As of Tuesday, the Jets still hadn't ruled out Reddick for the opener. They have an extra day because of the Monday night game, meaning they won't begin on-field preparations for the 49ers until Thursday. If Reddick were to show up, his availability would depend on what kind of shape he's in, according to coach Robert Saleh. Chances are, the Jets would start third-year backup Micheal Clemons in Reddick's spot, with 2023 first-round pick Will McDonald IV playing on pass-rushing downs. They also have journeyman Takkarist McKinley in reserve on the edge.
Saleh, perhaps posturing, tried to sell the notion that having Reddick would be a bonus.
"I mean, it's like finding change in the couch, I guess, right?" Saleh said with a laugh. "But, no, he's a special football player. And when he gets here, when he eventually gets here, he's only going to help us." -- Rich Cimini, Jets reporter
Updated Sept. 3
Trent Williams, OT, 49ers
Status: Finalizing deal to end holdout
Williams' holdout is over, as he and the Niners move toward a contract resolution that should have him available for Week 1 against the Jets. Williams flew back to the Bay Area in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, and his agency announced that a deal is being "finalized." -- Nick Wagoner, 49ers reporter
Updated Sept. 3
Previously resolved situations
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
Status: Agreed to a long-term extension
Finally, the 49ers and Aiyuk stopped dancing around the outcome they both clearly wanted all along and made something happen. The sides agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension Thursday that includes $76 million in guarantees. With Aiyuk in the fold, the Niners have their most productive receiver for another run at a Super Bowl this season and, just as important, keep a player who should be a part of their foundation for years to come. It was always the resolution that made the most sense, even if most of what came before it did not. -- Wagoner
Updated Aug. 29
Matthew Judon, LB, Falcons
Status: Reported to Patriots camp, sat out first two padded practices, traded to Falcons
Unable to come to an agreement with Judon, the New England Patriots balanced short- and long-term considerations in trading him to the Falcons for a third-round pick. Losing their best pass rusher is a decisive hit to a unit that is the strength of a rebuilding team, but gaining a third-round pick for a player who was a free agent after the season -- and unlikely to return -- has value for a club in need of a talent infusion. Keion White, New England's second-round pick in 2023, is a prime candidate to see his role expand in Judon's absence opposite sturdy edge setter Anfernee Jennings. -- Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter
Updated Aug. 14
Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
Status: Reported to camp, is practicing fully
Kamara participated in all aspects of practice on Wednesday, including 11-on-11 drills, during which he caught a pass from Saints quarterback Derek Carr. Kamara said he doesn't plan to hold out even while expressing disappointment that negotiations haven't progressed on a new contract. He explained his reasoning behind leaving minicamp early and said that he did it after no significant talks occurred regarding his contract this spring.
He also wanted to clarify what he was seeking and that he is looking for long-term security.
"I've said it before: I want to be a Saint. I want to retire here," Kamara said. "Just for me to set the record, I'm not asking for nothing crazy. I'm not asking for nothing where it's like, 'Oh my gosh, we can't do it.' Well, that's my perception of it. Whatever the perception is upstairs, with whoever makes those decisions, it's obviously different from my perception. So, we just carry on. I got to do what I do and focus on what I've got to do." -- Katherine Terrell, Saints reporter
Updated July 24
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
Status: Agreed to a contract extension
Lamb is now under contract through 2028 with his four-year, $136 million contract extension. While both sides may have preferred to have it done sooner so he could take part in some part of training camp, he will be available for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, which is what matters most. Lamb led the NFL in receptions last season and set a team record for yards in a season (1,749), so having him available gives the Cowboys a chance for another successful season offensively. He is quarterback Dak Prescott's best playmaker.
Now that this deal is complete, the next target will be Prescott. There have been talks during the summer and Prescott recently said they are going in the right direction. With Lamb now under contract through 2028, the Cowboys can put all of their attention to extending their quarterback.. -- Todd Archer, Cowboys reporter
Updated Aug. 26
Jordan Love, QB, Packers
Status: Agreed to a four-year, $220 million extension
Love got his deal done in time to join the Packers for their first full-pads practice of camp on Saturday. In all, he missed only four practices, although he attended every one of them. While it remains to be seen whether he can match the success of his predecessors Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, it ensures that the Packers will have several more years of stability at the most important position. -- Rob Demovsky, Packers reporter
Updated July 26
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
Status: Agreed to contract extension
The Dolphins and Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year extension worth $212.4 million, making him the third highest paid quarterback in the NFL in terms of average annual value. After two days of minimal participation at practice, his new extension allows him to get back on the field with his teammates and build on an offense that led the NFL in yards per game last season.
It's the latest example of the Dolphins taking care of their homegrown talent, after signing wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to an extension this summer and inking offensive tackle Austin Jackson to an extension during the 2023 season. Next step is safety Jevon Holland, who has been vocal about his desire for a new contract. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques, Dolphins reporter
Updated July 26
Tristan Wirfs, OT, Buccaneers
Status: Agreed to an extension, will fully participate in practice
Wirfs joins wide receiver Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield, linebacker Lavonte David and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as in-house players the Bucs extended this offseason, with four of those five homegrown players. Winfield and Wirfs each got record-setting deals for their position groups, as Wirfs is now the highest-paid offensive lineman and Winfield the highest-paid defensive back. That's no small feat considering the Bucs played with more than $80 million in dead money this past season. But it keeps the core of the Bucs' roster intact and in contention for the next several years.
"I think we have a lot of guys that care," Wirfs said. "Guys love coming out there competing and that's what it's going to take -- us competing every day, coming out with attention to detail, trying to get better and pushing each other to do the best we can be. Super Bowl is obviously the goal. I think that's the goal for everybody. Just doing whatever it takes to get back there and lifting that trophy. It's a damn good feeling. So you got to do it again." -- Jenna Laine, Buccaneers reporter
Updated Aug. 1