New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is officially a holdout while he navigates through life still without his rookie deal in place.
Barring a miraculous last-moment effort, that ugly word starting with the letter “h” associated with Sam Darnold in late July is seemingly turning true.
The New York Jets prized young franchise quarterback face is an official “holdout.”
Still without his rookie contract, Darnold will miss the Jets first official practice of 2018 training camp, slated for 1:50 p.m. ET on Friday at Florham Park, New Jersey.
Most are wondering what the holdup is. After all, these aren’t the old days that saw top NFL Draft picks come with massive financial risks depending on player and agent involved. Due to specific demands, teams would absolutely have to factor money into the equation (when deciding on a player).
These days—post-Sam Bradford—every pick is slotted in terms of what could be earned. Once signed, Darnold’s contract will resemble a four-year, $30.5 million deal with about $20.2 million guaranteed (with a team option for a fifth season).
As Ralph Vacchiano of SNY notes, contract disputes involving rookies these days are usually about one of two things: either a guaranteed money payment schedule or “offset language.” No such specifics have been leaked by either side up to this point.
According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, the two sides are still negotiating due to “language in the contract,” mainly offsets, which protect a team if a cut player signs on with another NFL franchise. New York wants offsets included. The Darnold camp does not.
The team remains firm by the idea that they’re “not too concerned” with the holdout as a deal is expected at any moment. Prior to Friday, the organization expressed optimism that this would be done prior to the first session.
As of now, the two sides still remain negotiating at the NFL’s big-boy table.
All involved can’t wait to watch the kid work his first big-boy training camp, but in the league that plays for pay, the financials must be worked out first.
Sam Darnold is a holdout … for now.
