Vikings have 2 of the 5 unsigned first rd draft picks
C'mon KAM, get er done already. Camp for rooks starts a week from Sunday.
As of Friday morning July 12th, only five first-round picks remain unsigned with two of them being quarterbacks
- Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams (1st overall)
- Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze (9th overall)
- Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (10th overall)
- Minnesota Vikings EDGE Dallas Turner (17th overall)
- Cincinnati Bengals OT Amarius Mims (18th overall)
The unique aspect of the five players that remain unsigned is that two of the three teams with multiple first-round picks have signed neither of their first-round picks. That could be due to multiple factors but the most likely one is they both drafted quarterbacks.
About a month ago, I wrote about a possible McCarthy holdout because it was being discussed across social media. There are reasons for a player to hold out with the rookie wage scale with the main ones being offset language and payout structure of the signing bonus.
The Vikings haven't paid out the entire signing bonus at once before. That doesn't necessarily mean much, as they had never fully guaranteed a three-year contract (Kirk Cousins), they hadn't guaranteed salary into year two of the extension (T.J. Hockenson) and they instituted a paradigm shift with the Justin Jefferson extension.
There are reasons for the Vikings to avoid doing so. The Henry Ruggs and Jeff Gladney situations where an alleged egregious act off the field happens and you attempt to void the signing bonus. If the entire bonus hasn't been paid, you don't have to ask for it back, it doesn't get paid when the player's contract gets voided for cause.
Is it time to panic?
Are we approaching panic mode with McCarthy and Turner not having signed contracts? It's a real concern because they cannot practice without a contract during training camp. They can during minicamp and OTAs but training camp is for rostered players only.
If McCarthy isn't able to practice during any portion of training camp, it isn't good. You want him to get as many reps as possible as training camp is a peak time of development for any rookie. If he does miss time, that doesn't mean he's in trouble. It's more likely that he doesn't play during his rookie season or has to wait to get in the game. That will be an issue for a good portion of the fanbase.
From the time this is published, the Vikings still have nine days to get McCarthy and Turner signed. Panicking isn't the right word yet, but it's getting a lot closer to that point and that's worrisome.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/minnesota-vikings/news/minnesota-vikings-jj-mccarthy-unsigned-holdout-panic/9c3eec24a45b730daec7dca0
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I said it before, but contract negotiations have been notoriously slow under KAM. Cousins was punted for years (which I was fine with), Danielle eventually got a restructure that let him hit FA early, Hock's deal took into training camp the year after the big trade and he had a monster season, JJ taking two offseason's.
It's especially concerning when these rookie deals have a wage scale and are pretty straightforward. I'm not sure what the hold up is... are we pinching pennies on guarantees? I guess I'd rather foster a little good will with agents and get the deals for our CORE players done quickly and penny pinch in the replacement level players and fringe roster guys.
MAD GAINZ wrote:
I said it before, but contract negotiations have been notoriously slow under KAM. Cousins was punted for years (which I was fine with), Danielle eventually got a restructure that let him hit FA early, Hock's deal took into training camp the year after the big trade and he had a monster season, JJ taking two offseason's.It's especially concerning when these rookie deals have a wage scale and are pretty straightforward. I'm not sure what the hold up is... are we pinching pennies on guarantees? I guess I'd rather foster a little good will with agents and get the deals for our CORE players done quickly and penny pinch in the replacement level players and fringe roster guys.
The whispers in the media have been about guarantees and signing structure.
These are not Bryant McKinnie size mountains to overcome though.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I'm not concerned with JJM. He's not expected to start on opening day. If he misses a few days of camp, I don't see that as a big deal. I'm more concerned with Turner. We need him in camp & learning his role on day 1.
Are the Vikings and Bears the only two teams with two picks in the 1st round? If so, that could be what is complicating matters.
Still, with contract parameters almost etched in stone, there's not a lot of haggle room here. I'm sure they'll be signed by training camp. Hold outs are so 90s.
In retrospect, I would not have been too surprised about a Turner negotiation maybe being a bit more difficult.
This was a supposed top 10 guy, consensus #1 D player - now getting slot 17 money.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Its weird. And honestly a little stupid. Let's go.
MaroonBells wrote:
Are the Vikings and Bears the only two teams with two picks in the 1st round? If so, that could be what is complicating matters.Still, with contract parameters almost etched in stone, there's not a lot of haggle room here. I'm sure they'll be signed by training camp. Hold outs are so 90s.
I think the Cardinals had two picks in the first round.
I always feel like any draft pick, even #1, is pretty arrogant to get too pushy with their rookie contract. It's already my least favorite quality about both of our first rounders.
KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....
I see Odunze and Williams inked their rook deals today....
Bears sign No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, first-rounder Rome Odunze
July 16, 20244:17 PM CDTUpdated 2 hours ago
July 16 - No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams agreed to a four-year, $39 million contract with a $25.5 million signing bonus as the Chicago Bears welcomed their star-studded rookie class to training camp on Tuesday.
July 16 - No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams agreed to a four-year, $39 million contract with a $25.5 million signing bonus as the Chicago Bears welcomed their star-studded rookie class to training camp on Tuesday.
Williams was the top selection in the 2024 draft, one year after the Bears traded away the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers.
In addition to Williams, the Bears selected Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze in the first round. The No. 9 pick also signed his four-year rookie contract with the Bears on Tuesday.
Bears training camp officially begins on Friday, when veterans are due to report with the first practice scheduled for Saturday.
Williams, 22, was the first of six quarterbacks drafted during the opening round in April. He replaces Justin Fields as the top quarterback on the Bears' depth chart and head coach Matt Eberflus already declared the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner as the team's starter.
Odunze receives approximately $22.7 million fully guaranteed on a four-year deal and a $13.3 million signing bonus, per Spotrac.
All contracts involving first-round selections include a fifth-year team option.
Odunze will join Keenan Allen, acquired via trade from the Chargers, and D.J. Moore atop Chicago's wide receiver ranks.
The Bears received Moore and the Panthers' 2024 first-round pick that became Williams, in the deal with Carolina for the 2023 first overall pick.
Odunze, 22, recorded 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns in his final season with the Huskies. His yardage total led all FBS receivers and were the most in school history as Washington finished runner-up in the College Football Playoff after losing to Michigan in the national title game.
In four seasons at Washington, Odunze had 214 receptions for 3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns.
https://www.reuters.com/sports/bears-sign-no-1-pick-caleb-williams-first-rounder-rome-odunze-2024-07-16/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
StickierBuns wrote:
Josh Metellus said yesterday, 'stop worrying' about the Viking's unsigned players, it'll get done.
Yah I saw that...
He's probably right of course. Being the last to sign so late isnt the end of the world, a bit unnecessary perhaps. I heard the Vikings wanted to see Caleb contract parameters prior to signing JJ? If true, they are the only team drafting a first rd qb who felt that was necessary.
Frankly, I would prioritize Turner being in camp day 1 vs McCarthy if I had to choose.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Josh Metellus said yesterday, 'stop worrying' about the Viking's unsigned players, it'll get done.
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/jj-mccarthy-last-unsigned-first-round-qb-after-bears-ink-caleb-williams-01j2yhdvdrrc
" McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick, will eventually sign a four-year, $21.8 million deal with a $12.7 million signing bonus; those numbers are set by the CBA. So what's the holdup? It could have something to do with how much of that signing bonus McCarthy will receive up front versus in installments. There are other minor details of these rookie contracts that can be negotiated, with both McCarthy's camp and the Vikings trying to do what's best for themselves."
Reading a few things, most notably the expectation is JJM and Turner don't get signed till next week - after rooks report, but b4 official TC opens.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
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