The majority of the 2024 draft class has already signed their contracts, with only five players from round one remaining unsigned. These players come from three teams. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and receiver Rome Odunze, as well as Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy and edge rusher Dallas Turner, have yet to finalize their deals. Additionally, Bengals tackle Amarius Mims, the 18th pick in the draft, is also unsigned.
All five players are expected to sign fully-guaranteed four-year contracts, with the value based on their selection number. While there are limited topics for negotiation under the 2011 CBA, there are still three main categories that can be discussed. These include signing bonus cash flow, voiding of guarantees, and guarantee offsets.
Players typically want their signing bonus paid upfront, while teams may try to defer some of the payment. Both sides also negotiate terms around voiding of guarantees, with players wanting to limit the team’s ability to un-guarantee the money. Additionally, guarantee offsets may be a topic of discussion, as players prefer to be able to earn money elsewhere if released.
Ultimately, there is no reason for the remaining draft picks to delay signing their contracts. It is important for players to secure their deals before participating in offseason programs to ensure they have full protection against any potential injuries. Teams are increasingly getting deals done quickly to provide players with the security they need.