2024 NFL deal tracker: Contract and training camp updates

With the season fast approaching, most of the talk is about players getting ready for Week 1. But for many standout players, it’s not that easy.

The start of training camp has led to contract situations that have become so severe that players are either not showing up to camp or, in recent years, showing up to camp but avoiding practice until their financial situation improves to avoid fines. That’s exactly what we’ve been tracking, with several big-name players being assessed non-refundable daily fines for limiting their participation in practice, not practicing at all, or not reporting to participate.

Here are 10 players who were in limbo at the start of training camp, with the latest from NFL Nation reporters. Some situations have been resolved, with Tua Tagovailoa earning a contract from the Dolphins, Jordan Love immediately moving to the Packers and Tristan Wirfs taking a big-money deal to the Buccaneers. Then CeeDee Lamb agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Cowboys on Monday, and 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk followed suit on Thursday.

But some players are still waiting for their situations to be resolved, including another 49ers player: One of these players was traded, and Matthew Judon was moved from the Patriots to the Falcons, bringing an end to a dramatic training camp saga.

situation: Long-term extension agreed

Finally, the 49ers and Aiyuk have stopped avoiding the outcome they both had been hoping for all this time and are doing something about it. The two sides agreed on a four-year, $120 million extension Thursday, including $76 million guaranteed. With Aiyuk on the team, the 49ers have their most productive receiver to compete for the Super Bowl again this season, and just as importantly, they’re leaving with a player who should be part of the team’s foundation for years to come. It was the decision that always made the most sense, even though most decisions in the past haven’t. — Nick Wagoner, 49ers reporter

Updated August 29th

situation: He reported to camp but did not practice and did not show up for practice on Tuesday.

Chase’s conflict with the Bengals has intensified. He was not present at the Bengals’ final home practice before the second game of the preseason. He has not participated in practices while waiting for a contract extension, but he has been present and involved during practice.

Throughout Chase’s suspension, Bengals coach Zac Taylor has maintained things were going according to plan with Chase. After practice on Tuesday, Taylor suggested the situation was fluid.

“We’re just going to take it one day at a time,” Taylor said.

Chase had previously said he wouldn’t seriously pursue a contract of his own until his former Louisiana State teammate Justin Jefferson finished signing an extension. Jefferson made history in June when he signed a four-year contract worth $140 million, including $110 million guaranteed. The two deals were the largest ever awarded to a non-quarterback.

In July, team president Mike Brown suggested it was unlikely Chase would be signed before the season began. Now the question is whether Chase is willing to miss games to improve the chances of a contract extension. Ben Baby, Bengals reporter

Updated August 13th

situationReported to Patriots camp, missed first two padded practices, traded to Falcons

Unable to come to terms with Judon, the New England Patriots balanced short-term and long-term considerations by trading him to the Falcons in exchange for a third-round pick. Losing their best pass rusher would be a decisive blow to a unit that is a strength of a rebuilding team, but acquiring a third-round pick for a player who will become a free agent after the season and is unlikely to return is valuable for a team in need of an infusion of talent. Keion White, New England’s 2023 second-round pick, is a prime candidate for an expanded role opposite stout edge setter Anfernee Jennings in Judon’s absence. — Mike Reiss, Patriots reporter

Updated August 14th

situation: Reported to camp, full training underway

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 expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in negotiations for a new contract but said he won’t hold back. He explained why he left minicamp early, saying he did so because important contract discussions had not taken place this spring.

He also wanted to clarify what he wanted and that he wanted long-term stability.

“Like I said before, I want to be a saint. I want to retire here,” Kamara said. “I’ll go on record and say I’m not asking for anything outrageous. I’m not asking for anything that makes me think, ‘Oh, that’s impossible.’ Well, that’s my perception. Whatever the perception of upper management is, whoever is making the decision, that’s obviously not my perception. So, we’re just going to carry on. I’m just going to do what I have to do and focus on what I have to do.” By Katherine Terrell, Saints reporter

Updated July 24th

situation: Contract extension agreed

Lamb is currently signed through 2028 on a four-year, $136 million extension. While both sides may have wanted the deal to be signed sooner so he could participate in some training camp, he will likely be available for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. This is what matters most. Lamb led the NFL in receptions last season and set a franchise record for receiving yards in a season (1,749), so having him available gives the Cowboys another chance to succeed on offense. He is quarterback Dak Prescott’s best playmaker.

With that deal done, the next target will be Prescott. Talks took place over the summer, and Prescott recently said he’s moving in the right direction. With Lamb under contract through 2028, the Cowboys can focus all their efforts on trying to sign the quarterback. — Todd Archer, Cowboys reporter

Updated August 26

situation: Agreed to four-year, $220 million contract extension

Love signed the deal in time for the first full-pads practice of camp on Saturday. He participated in every practice but missed only four total. It remains to be seen whether Love can match the success of predecessors Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, but he certainly gives the Packers some solid stability at their most important position for years to come. Rob Demovsky, Packers reporter

Updated July 26

situation: Leaves camp, requests trade

Redick formally requested a trade from the Jets on the 21st day of his holdout, but the Jets responded in strong terms that they would not trade him.

It’s official: the gloves are off.

This is one of the strangest holdouts in recent memory, and it’s simply because both sides agreed to a trade in late March. Redick requested a trade because he was unhappy with his contract and the Eagles refused to sign him to an extension. The Jets stepped in and got permission to negotiate with Redick on short notice. The Jets were confident Redick would play out on his current contract, so they made the trade happen by sending a conditional 2026 third-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for the two-time Pro Bowl selection, sources said.

Redick’s camp hasn’t said what they’re saying, but it’s likely they’re not happy with how things have gone. Redick believes he’s outperformed his contract and wants a deal that is worthy of a top edge rusher. He’s in the final year of a three-year, $45 million contract.

Both sides appear to be sticking to their positions. The conflict continues. Rich Cimini, Jets reporter

Updated August 12th

situation: Contract extension agreed

The Dolphins and Tagovailoa agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, making Tagovailoa the third-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL by average annual salary. Though his participation in the two days of practice was minimal, the new contract extension allows Tagovailoa to return to the field with his teammates and further strengthen an offense that led the NFL in receiving yards per game last season.

It’s the latest example of the Dolphins taking good care of their own talent after signing wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to an extension this summer and offensive tackle Austin Jackson through the 2023 season. The next step is safety Jevon Holland, who has made it public that he wants a new contract. Marcel Louis-Jacques, Dolphins reporter

Updated July 26

situation: Reserve List/Not Reported List

Williams’ holdout continues. He and the 49ers have yet to come to terms on a contract extension that would include significant guarantees and put Williams back at the top of the offensive tackle market. Shanahan and Lynch are optimistic they’ll work something out with Williams soon, but for now, the star tackle isn’t even on the roster. San Francisco kept him on the reserve/non-reporting list Tuesday as penalties from the holdout pile up. “If both sides want to get an agreement done, I think it usually does,” Shanahan said. Wagoner

Updated August 28th

situation: Agreed to extension and fully participated in practice

Wirfs joins wide receiver Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield, linebacker Lavonte David and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as the Buccaneers sign extensions this offseason, with four of the five being homegrown players. Winfield and Wirfs signed record contracts for their respective position groups, with Wirfs now the highest-paid offensive lineman and Winfield the highest-paid defensive back. That’s no small feat considering the Buccaneers came into the game last season with more than $80 million in dead money. But it keeps the core of the Buccaneers roster intact and in contention for championships for years to come.

“I think we have a lot of guys that care,” Wirfs said. “They love going out there and competing and that’s what we need. Paying attention to detail every day, trying to get better, pushing each other and doing our best. Obviously the Super Bowl. I think that’s everybody’s goal. Just doing whatever it takes to get back out there and hoist the trophy. It’s a great feeling. So we’ve got to do it again.” Jenna Raine, Buccaneers reporter

Updated August 1