The 2025 NFL offseason is approaching its usual lull during the summer break, a period between OTAs, minicamps, and the start of training camp in late July where league activity typically slows down. However, this offseason remains tense, primarily due to several high-profile contract disputes, including the ongoing Trey Hendrickson contract dispute 2025 NFL offseason saga.
Historically, most players resolve their holdouts and contract disagreements either before minicamps conclude or as training camp begins. Yet, some cases drag on late into August or even during the regular season, prolonging uncertainty around team rosters and player statuses.
Key Contract Disputes Casting Shadows Over the Offseason
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was a standout in last year’s contract saga, and the 2025 offseason is seeing a surge of players holding out in pursuit of improved deals. Among them, notable players like Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson, Josh Allen Cook, and Terry McLaurin are at crossroads with their respective organizations, creating friction and questions about their future statuses.
Micah Parsons’ Contract Negotiations Reflect Typical Cowboys Strategy
Micah Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie contract under a fifth-year option valued at $24 million. The Dallas Cowboys have a reputation for last-minute negotiations, as seen in previous deals with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, making Parsons’ holdout unsurprising. Expected to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, Parsons aims to surpass Ja’Marr Chase’s $40.25 million average annual salary, though guaranteed money and salary structure remain key negotiation points.
Parsons’ elite status is undeniable; he is now the only player in NFL history with 12 or more sacks in each of his first four seasons and ranks fifth all-time with 52.5 sacks after his first four years. His absence from voluntary OTAs signals the seriousness of the dispute.
Trey Hendrickson’s High-Stakes Holdout Challenges Bengals’ Offseason Plans
The Cincinnati Bengals face a tense standoff with star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who has one year remaining on his four-year, $60 million contract, with a base salary of $15.8 million. While the Bengals managed to secure extensions for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Hendrickson, now 31, remains unsigned and unwilling to accept a short-term deal. The team has even allowed Hendrickson to pursue a trade, yet he remains reluctant to leave.
Hendrickson’s worth complicates negotiations. He’s the first player since JJ Watt in 2014-2015 to record 17 or more sacks in consecutive seasons. Over the past five years, only TJ Watt (73.5) and Myles Garrett (72.0) have surpassed his 70.5 sacks, firmly placing him among the NFL’s elite edge rushers. Nick Bosa’s $34 million annual salary stands as a financial benchmark for Hendrickson, raising questions about whether the Bengals are willing to meet or if Hendrickson will ultimately find a higher-paying team.
Elite Edge Rushers Face Contract Uncertainty Amid Season Deadlines
JJ Watt, currently the seventh-highest paid edge rusher with a $28 million average annual salary, is entering the final year of a sizable $112 million contract. Despite his production—leading the league in sacks three times over the past five seasons—Watt’s age at 31 contributes to uncertainty about the length and terms of his next potential contract.
Meanwhile, players like Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett set recent salary standards for elite edge rushers, with annual salaries around $34 million. These figures create a challenging landscape for negotiating deals for Hendrickson, Watt, and others seeking maximum value amid their holdouts.
Running Back Contracts Stir Further Offseason Tension
At the running back position, players like Josh Allen Cook present additional contract challenges. Currently in the final year of his rookie deal with a base salary just over $5 million, Cook is widely viewed as underpaid compared to peers who recently secured lucrative contracts—Saquon Barkley at $20.6 million and Derrick Henry at $15 million annually.
Cook’s strong performance, including leading the league last season with 16 rushing touchdowns and achieving back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, supports his demand for a $15 million-per-year deal. However, the Buffalo Bills appear hesitant to meet that figure, suggesting a potential prolonged holdout.
Wide Receiver Holdouts Add to the Offseason Uncertainty
Terry McLaurin faces a critical contract year with the Washington Commanders as he enters the last season of a three-year, $68.3 million contract. With a $15.5 million base salary in 2025 and production that ranks him as the 16th highest-paid wide receiver, McLaurin’s compensation falls short relative to top receivers—eight of whom earn more than $30 million annually.
McLaurin has recorded five consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons but remains behind some teammates in pay, fueling the demand for a raise. The Commanders are eager to reach an agreement to keep their lead receiver on the roster for a potential Super Bowl push in 2025, but the negotiations remain unresolved.
The 2025 Offseason’s Ripple Effect on Teams and Players
The string of high-profile contract disputes, highlighted by Trey Hendrickson’s stalemate with the Bengals, reflects the growing complexities in player–team negotiations as top performers seek salaries aligning with their elite status. These holdouts and delayed agreements leave franchises facing questions about roster stability and on-field readiness when training camps begin.
As the offseason progresses, the league is bracing for additional developments, including potential trades and last-minute contract signings. The outcomes of these negotiations will significantly impact team chemistry and competitive balance, with some players possibly on the move and others sidelined during critical preparation periods.