The NFL is entering its traditional quiet period between OTAs and minicamps, but the buzz of rumors and speculations continues to swirl to keep fans engaged.
With the speculation surrounding Justin Jefferson’s future now resolved, attention shifts to the Vikings’ rookie quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.
Selected as the 10th overall pick, McCarthy is expected to sign a four-year, $21.8 million deal, as outlined by former agent Joel Corry. The NFL’s rookie wage scale has transformed the landscape of rookie contracts, setting a cap on their earnings. While McCarthy’s deal is largely predetermined by this scale, there are negotiable elements such as the payment schedule of the signing bonus and salary guarantee offsets.
Enter Twitter user @prettyrickey213, who claims McCarthy plans to hold out unless he receives his signing bonus upfront. Despite the unconventional source, this user has a track record of accurately breaking NFL news, including deals involving Odell Beckham Jr., Tyler Boyd, and Antoine Winfield Jr.
Holdouts among rookies have become less common since the introduction of the rookie wage scale in 2011. However, notable instances like Joey Bosa’s dispute with the Chargers in 2016 and Roquan Smith’s holdout with the Bears in 2018 remind us that they still occur.
Quarterbacks taken at the top of the draft have increasingly received lump sum payments for their signing bonuses. Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance received such payments in 2021, setting a precedent for future top picks like McCarthy.
While McCarthy may seek a similar arrangement for his projected $12.1 million bonus, it’s premature to panic about a holdout with training camp still over a month away. Analysts suggest that negotiations between McCarthy and the Vikings are likely to conclude before camp begins.
In any case, the accuracy of @prettyrickey213’s NFL news suggests that his claims regarding McCarthy should be taken seriously, adding another layer of intrigue to the offseason drama.
