NFL Minicamp Absences: What’s Happening?
In this phase of the NFL offseason, the most prominent names that have missed voluntary workouts (OTAs) are already known, and, for the most part, their motivations. Some seek to improve their contracts, others aspire to a trade, while for some, the reasons remain a mystery. Despite the turbulent news, the absences at the OTAs have surprised and could have a significant impact on the teams, even potentially incurring fines if the players do not show up for the mandatory minicamp that begins on Tuesday. The Chicago Bears already held their minicamp last week without any absences. According to the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, players face a fine of $17,462 if they miss one day of mandatory minicamp, $34,925 if they miss two days, and $52,381 if they miss all three days. However, some players avoid these fines by showing up to practice and simply not participating. Here’s the latest our NFL reporters have heard about absences at OTAs and what’s expected at minicamp.Featured Players and Their Situations
Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins, QB
Situation: Attended the first day of the minicamp. Cousins seeks to be the starting quarterback this season, something that will not happen in Atlanta, where Michael Penix Jr. replaced him. Cousins prefers to be released, but the Falcons will not do so. Cousins is owed $27.5 million in 2025, and the organization prefers to have him as a backup. Atlanta would explore a trade, but only if another team assumes a significant portion of that guaranteed money, which includes a $10 million bonus in 2026. Cousins also has a no-trade clause.Buffalo Bills
James Cook, RB
Situation: Attended the first day of the minicamp. The Bills rewarded three 2022 draft players with new contracts, but Cook was not one of them. Cook, 25, is coming off the best season of his career, with 1,009 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Coach Sean McDermott expects Cook to participate in minicamp sessions.Cincinnati Bengals
Trey Hendrickson, DE
Situation: Absent from minicamp. The defensive end did not participate in voluntary workouts while seeking a new contract. Hendrickson, 30, has no intention of playing under the current contract and is seeking a long-term deal. He was granted permission to seek trade offers.Shemar Stewart, DE
Situation: Attended the minicamp but did not participate. Stewart has not signed his participation waiver due to a contractual dispute. If both parties agree on the terms of the contract, the situation could be resolved.Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons, Edge
Situation: Attended the minicamp on Tuesday, did not practice. Parsons was present, but did not participate in the training due to a back issue. He had a conversation with Jerry Jones, but it was not about the contract. Parsons expects Jones to make the next move in the negotiations and hopes an agreement will be reached before training camp.Green Bay Packers
Jaire Alexander, CB
Situation: Will be released. The Packers plan to release Alexander. Both sides were frustrated at the end of last season, and they couldn’t reach an agreement for a revised contract, leading to the Packers’ decision to dispense with Alexander before minicamp.Elgton Jenkins, OL
Situation: Reported to minicamp, but did not practice. Jenkins wanted an adjustment to his contract to protect himself against the loss of future income. Although the Packers don’t usually renegotiate contracts with two years remaining, they could offer to guarantee part or all of his remaining money.Miami Dolphins
Jalen Ramsey, CB
Situation: The team is looking for a transfer. Ramsey is on his way out of Miami after only two seasons. Ramsey’s absence from the minicamp is justified while both parties seek to facilitate a transfer.Jonnu Smith, TE
Situation: Absent from the minicamp. Smith is seeking a salary increase, and although Miami considered a trade, it seems unlikely. Unlike Ramsey, Smith’s absence is not justified.Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt, LB
Situation: Absent from the minicamp. Watt is in the last year of his contract and the team is working on an extension. With Myles Garrett of the Browns signing a record extension, Watt’s price seems to increase.DK Metcalf, WR
Situation: Attend the minicamp. Metcalf was not seen at the OTAs practices, but he is present at the minicamp.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Haason Reddick
Situation: He was absent from the OTAs, but participated in the first day of the minicamp. Reddick’s absence from the OTAs raised doubts, but the team showed no concern. Reddick practiced in the minicamp.Washington Commanders
Marshon Lattimore, CB
Situation: Participate in the minicamp. Lattimore joined the Commanders mid-season, but a hamstring injury limited him to two regular season games.Terry McLaurin, WR
Situation: Absent from minicamp. McLaurin, coming off his most productive season, is in the final year of his contract. The two sides have been discussing an extension, but have not reached an agreement. McLaurin already missed the voluntary sessions and mandatory minicamp in 2022 before signing a three-year extension. Coach Dan Quinn is not worried.Laremy Tunsil, OT
Situation: Attend the minicamp. Tunsil joined the Commanders in a trade in March and has attended some voluntary workouts. His presence will be valuable, especially since he will play alongside Brandon Coleman, who is new to the team and in the left guard position in the NFL.
