The first NFL training camp begins on July 12. By July 23, every training camp will be in session. However, some players will elect to hold out. Here are four potential holdouts ahead of NFL training camp.
Cincinnati Bengals Edge Trey Hendrickson
Pass rush market has exploded. By summer’s end, at least six of top-end rushers should or will have secured mega deal since March.
Taking stock of T.J. Watt, Trey Hendrickson and Micah Parsons status on @SportsCenter with @SkubieMageza pic.twitter.com/kaLLODTs0h
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 5, 2025
If you had to bet on one player to hold out, place that wager on Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals’ star edge rusher has been embroiled in a public contract dispute throughout the entire offseason.
Hendrickson has been adamant that he will not play on the final year of his deal that carries a base salary of $15.8 million. Hendrickson, 30, wants more long-term security and a deal that likely pays him over $30 million annually. Meanwhile, Cincinnati would rather sign him to a short-term extension.
Hendrickson has expressed his frustration to the media about the Cincinnati front office’s willingness to negotiate. Hendrickson even said he would be open to a trade, but the Bengals have remained steadfast in trying to sign their top pass rusher.
Hendrickson carried the Cincinnati defense a season ago, with a league-high 17.5 sacks. If a deal does not get done by mid-July, Hendrickson will hold out.
Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons
Micah Parsons has 52.5 sacks in four seasons
🦁 13 sacks in 2021
🦁 13.5 sacks in 2022
🦁 14 sacks in 2023
🦁 12 sacks in 2024How many sacks will he have this season? pic.twitter.com/wRZNN3yHu4
— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) July 5, 2025
The Cowboys are going to sign Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons to a new contract. When Parsons signs the deal, it will likely make him the highest-paid non-QB in the league.
Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase became the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL after signing a four-year, $161 million deal with an average of $40.25 million a season.
However, the Cowboys are going to do things on their terms. In other words, Jerry Jones will wait until the last possible second to sign his stud pass rusher.
Dallas used the same strategies with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. The Cowboys waited until right before the regular season to extend both players.
While Parsons might not hold out, he could hold in — attend training camp without participating in practice.
Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin
"There's no update on the Terry McLaurin situation and that's the problem..
There is quite a gap between what both sides want right now and they have not made any progress"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/pBatkLA2cs
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 30, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels could be without his top target at the start of training camp.
Terry McLaurin has been a no-show at Washington’s OTAs, including the mandatory minicamp.
McLaurin is set to make a base salary of $15.5 million. The average annual value for a No. 1 wide receiver is $30 million.
McLaurin is coming off a 2024 campaign where he registered 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns. The soon-to-be 30-year-old has five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
With Daniels on a rookie contract, now is the time to sign impact players like McLaurin to long-term deals.
Pittsburgh Edge T.J. Watt
Most Sacks Over The Last Decade (Since 2015)
1. T.J. Watt – 108
2. Khalil Mack – 103.5
3. Myles Garrett – 102.5Watt entered the NFL in 2017.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) July 7, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest acquisition this offseason was quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, the Steelers’ season hinges on the availability of T.J. Watt.
Watt’s average annual salary is $28 million. Entering the final year of his contract, the 31-year-old wants a new deal.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said that the Steelers will eventually make Watt the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL. When that gets done is unknown.
Expect Watt to either hold out or hold in if a new deal is not signed before training camp.
