The 2024 draft class is nearing completion, with only five players remaining unsigned. All of the unsigned picks are from the first round and hail from three different teams. Among them are Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (No. 1), Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (No. 10), edge rusher Dallas Turner (No. 17), Bengals tackle Amarius Mims (No. 18), and receiver Rome Odunze (No. 9).
While the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 2011 limited negotiation topics, there are still three primary categories that can be discussed between players and teams at this time: signing bonus cash flow, voiding of guarantees, and guarantee offsets.
The signing bonus cash flow category involves discussions about how much of the signing bonus is paid upfront and how much is deferred for a later date. This can greatly impact a player’s financial stability during their career and should be carefully considered before signing any contract.
In terms of voiding of guarantees, players and teams will negotiate what it would take for a team to wipe out remaining guarantees if certain conditions are not met or if a player fails to perform as expected. This can provide some level of protection for both parties in case of unexpected circumstances or changes in circumstances during the course of the contract.
Lastly, guarantee offsets involve discussing whether guaranteed money is reduced if a player is released and earns money elsewhere before their contract expires. This can impact a player’s future earnings potential if they are cut or traded during their career, so it’s important to fully understand this aspect before signing any contract agreement.
Given that we are still early in the offseason season, there is no reason for any draft picks to remain unsigned at this time
