At the close of summer, the NFLPA faced numerous negative headlines, but the beginning of training camp brought a positive development for players. For the first time, many second-round NFL draft picks secured fully guaranteed rookie contracts, a significant win in player negotiations. Historically, only first-round selections received complete guarantees, while third-round picks had none beyond their signing bonuses. The second round typically fell somewhere in between, with most players signing partially guaranteed deals or waiting months to finalize contracts.
This year, the Houston Texans set a new trend by awarding receiver Jaden Higgins a fully guaranteed contract shortly after the draft. Following this, most other second-round picks delayed signing, waiting for similar terms, leading to a prolonged offseason negotiation. Just before training camp began, seven of the top eight second-round picks secured fully guaranteed deals. Notably, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, the 40th overall pick, received a contract with about $3.3 million more guaranteed money than the previous year’s 40th pick, Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, who had 80% of his contract guaranteed.
The Cleveland Browns running back Quinson Judkins was the only top second-round pick not to receive a fully guaranteed deal. While the rest of the second round didn’t get full guarantees, partial guarantees were notably higher than usual. Guaranteed money benefits players mainly in worst-case scenarios, such as being cut early in their rookie contracts, which is rare. For example, only a handful of players from the 2021 draft class were cut early, with most lasting through most or all of their contract terms.
To mitigate financial risks, teams often include offset language in contracts, meaning any guaranteed money paid out is reduced by what the player earns from another team if signed elsewhere. This protects teams from significant financial losses unless the player is entirely out of the league.
Looking ahead, this advancement in guaranteed money for second-round picks is expected to continue into the 2026 draft and beyond, potentially extending to top third-round picks. As the NFL’s revenue and salary caps rise steadily, contract expectations will also increase based on previous years’ standards, making these guaranteed deals a meaningful victory. While it may only impact a few players in practice, it represents an important step forward for player financial security.
Fan Take: This shift towards more guaranteed money for rookies is a crucial win for NFL players, ensuring better financial protection early in their careers. For fans, it signals a growing fairness in player contracts and may lead to stronger, more confident performances as players feel more secure in their futures.
