Tracking every NFL training camp holdout: Ja’Marr Chase’s missed practice raises questions

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With training camps in full go right now, most of the buzz is about players preparing for the 2024 season. But it’s not that simple for several standouts.

The start of training camps brings 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’re tracking, as several big-name players are limiting their participation in practice, not practicing at all or not reporting and subjecting themselves to daily fines that won’t be reimbursed.

Here’s a look at 10 players who were in limbo as camps get ramped up, along with updates from our NFL Nation writers. It’s worked for some, as Tua Tagovailoa got his deal from the Dolphins, Jordan Love quickly followed for the Packers and Tristan Wirfs broke the bank for the Buccaneers. But some players are still waiting for resolution of their situations, including two 49ers (one who could be traded) and one of the Cowboys’ three stars looking for a big deal.

Status: Reported to camp, not practicing, open to seeking a trade

For the first time this offseason, a trade for Aiyuk feels like a real possibility. While Aiyuk requested a trade to open camp, the Niners had mostly closed the door on the idea of dealing him this year. But that has changed in recent days, as the Niners granted Aiyuk permission to see what other teams might pay him on a new contract while also gauging what they might receive in a trade.

The 49ers still harbor Super Bowl aspirations, so if they are to trade their most productive receiver, they would almost certainly want someone who can help right away in return. Likewise, Aiyuk has a substantial amount of say in his eventual destination because he has to approve of not only the money but where he’s going to land. All of which is why the Aiyuk situation still has plenty of possible outcomes, ranging from a trade to a new contract with the Niners to playing out the season on his fifth-year option. — Nick Wagoner, 49ers reporter

Updated Aug. 6

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Status: Reported to camp, not practicing, did not show up to practice on Tuesday

The conflict between Chase and the Bengals has escalated. He was not present for the Bengals’ last home practice before their second preseason game. Even though Chase had not been participating while he awaits a contract extension, he had been present and engaged during practices.

Throughout Chase’s hold-in, Bengals coach Zac Taylor has maintained that things regarding Chase were going according to plan. After Tuesday’s practice, Taylor indicated that the situation will remain fluid.

“We’ll take it one day at a time,” Taylor said.

Previously, Chase has been very open about waiting for Justin Jefferson, his former teammate at LSU, to get his extension done before fully pursuing one of his own. In June, Jefferson made history by signing a four-year deal worth $140 million, including $110 million guaranteed, which were both the highest totals ever given to a non-quarterback.

In July, team president Mike Brown indicated a deal with Chase before the start of the season was unlikely. Now, the question will be if Chase is willing to skip games in order to boost his odds of getting his extension done. — Ben Baby, Bengals reporter

Updated Aug. 13

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Status: Reported to camp, practiced, sat out first two padded practices but has now returned

Judon enters the final season of the four-year, $56 million contract he had signed in March 2021 and is scheduled to earn a base salary of $6.5 million. He said he doesn’t feel it reflects his value. Complicating the situation is that Judon, who turns 32 in August, is coming off a season in which he missed 13 games due to a torn biceps. He totaled 28 sacks over his first two seasons in New England in establishing himself one of the team’s best defenders.

Judon had what seemed to be an animated exchange with first-year head coach Jerod Mayo before Monday’s first full-pads practice, as Judon sat on top of a flipped-over trash barrel as he watched his teammates work. Judon was also away from the Patriots on Tuesday, according to teammates. The team had Wednesday off and Judon returned to practice in pads on Thursday. — Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter

Updated August 1

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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

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Status: Holding out of camp

The Cowboys placed Lamb on the did not report list as part of the moves needed to make room for addition of three players to their 90-man roster on Tuesday. The move was needed to make room for linebackers Darius Harris and Nick Vigil as well as defensive tackle Albert Huggins. Technically, the move voids the guarantee on Lamb’s fifth-year option, but it does not impact negotiations, which remain ongoing.

Lamb’s holdout is now 14 days as he awaits a long-term contract extension that will make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid receivers. Lamb is continuing to work out back in Texas while his teammates practice in Oxnard, California. — Todd Archer, Cowboys reporter

Updated Aug. 6

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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

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Status: Holding out of camp, requesting a trade

On the 21st day of his holdout, Reddick officially requested a trade from the Jets, who responded with a strongly worded statement saying they won’t trade him.

It’s official: The gloves are off.

This is one of the more bizarre holdouts in recent memory, simply because both sides signed off on a trade in late March. Remember, Reddick requested a trade from the Eagles because he was unhappy with his contract and they refused to extend his deal. The Jets swooped in, receiving permission to speak with Reddick. The Jets were under the impression that Reddick would play under his existing deal, sources said, so they executed the trade by sending a 2026 conditional third-round pick to the Eagles for the two-time Pro Bowler.

Reddick’s camp hasn’t shared its side of the story, but it presumably isn’t happy by the way things have gone down. He believes he has outperformed his contract and he wants to be receive a deal commensurate with the top edge rushers. He’s in the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract.

Both sides appear entrenched in their position. The standoff continues. — Rich Cimini, Jets reporter

Updated Aug. 12

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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

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Status: Holding out of camp

The 49ers and Williams still have not landed on a re-worked deal that would bolster his annual average salary and includes the guarantees he’s seeking. Williams is a holdout and coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday he believes Williams is back home in Houston training for the season. Williams, 36, doesn’t necessarily need (or want) to participate in a lot of training camp at this point in his career, but the 49ers remain optimistic something will get worked out soon. In the meantime, Williams has already accrued more than $500,000 in fines, with another $50,000 added for each day of training camp he misses. — Wagoner

Updated Aug. 6

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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 August 1