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As NFL training camps loom, an unprecedented standoff is unfolding: 30 of the 32 second-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft remain unsigned. The reason? A seismic shift in rookie contract expectations triggered by the Houston Texans.
In early May, the Texans inked wide receiver Jayden Higgins to a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth $11.7 million, a first for a second-round pick. The very next day, the Cleveland Browns followed suit with linebacker Carson Schwesinger, signing him to a similarly guaranteed contract. These deals shattered long-standing norms, where second-rounders typically receive partial guarantees, especially in the latter years of their contracts.
Now, the remaining 30 second-rounders are holding out, reportedly demanding similar guarantees. Among them is Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, who is expected to start this season and is pushing for full guarantees on his fourth-year salary. His stance has become emblematic of the broader movement, with rookies from picks No. 35 to No. 64 refusing to sign until the market settles.
This holdout is more than a contractual hiccup; it’s a potential turning point in how the NFL handles rookie compensation. Historically, only first-round picks received fully guaranteed deals. But with Higgins and Schwesinger breaking that mold, second-rounders are now challenging the status quo.
The NFL’s rookie wage scale, established in 2011, was designed to streamline negotiations. Yet this year’s draft class is rewriting the rules. If teams cave to these demands, it could permanently alter the financial landscape for future rookies.
With training camps already underway for some teams, the pressure is mounting. Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris, drafted No. 55 overall, has already sat out the start of camp. If the impasse continues, it could impact team chemistry, player development, and even Week 1 rosters.
All eyes are on the Saints and Bengals, whose negotiations with Shough and first-rounder Shemar Stewart could set the tone for the rest of the unsigned rookies. Should either team agree to full guarantees, a domino effect may follow, potentially reshaping rookie contracts for years to come.
This isn’t just a contract dispute—it’s a battle over value, leverage, and the future of NFL labor dynamics. And it’s happening in real time
