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Commanders are already dealing with a major headache a few days before training camp kicks off, and other NFL teams are to blame
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders will be returning to Ashburn, Virginia to kick off their 2025 training camp this week, and there might be a notable absence thanks to a league-wide issue teams are trying to resolve.

Washington might not have cornerback Trey Amos present for training camp when the rookies report on July 18th if they can't agree to a contract, and it's not either of their fault.

Amos isn't the only rookie dealing with this situation, as 30 of the 32 second-round picks from the 2025 NFL draft still remain unsigned

Who is at fault for this happening to Washington and Amos?

NFL teams are experiencing a situation they've never had to deal with before when it comes to paying second-round picks signing their rookie contract. This is something that's slowly built up in recent years, but the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns opened the door, and chaos has spread throughout the league as training camp begins.

Texans WR Jayden Higgins, and Browns LB Carson Schwesinger became the first second-round picks in NFL history to receive fully guaranteed rookie contracts. The Texans didn't have a first round pick in the draft, so they're essentially treating Jayden Higgins, who they selected 34th overall, as their first-rounder worthy of a fully guaranteed contract. Higgins' contract is a four-year deal worth $11.7 million, and heavily influenced the next move.

The Browns, who are used to giving out fully guaranteed contracts now, had no choice but to do the same for their second-round pick after Higgins' received his deal. Carson Schwesinger was selected one pick before Higgins at 33rd overall, and had to one-up the Texans' deal by giving the rookie linebacker $11.8 million on his fully guaranteed contract.

What needs to happen next to resolve this situation for the Commanders?

The rest of the league is on standby until one team decides what to do next, and set the market for the remaining unsigned second rounders. The Seattle Seahawks selected safety Nick Emmanwori at 35th overall, just one pick after the Texans took Higgins, and they hold the next domino to fall. Teams are hoping that the Seahawks stop the bleeding of fully guaranteed contracts making their way to the rest of the second round. 

I mean, it has to end eventually right? There's no way this actually makes it all the way to the Philadelphia Eagles and Andrew Mukuba who was selected 64th overall. What would that contract even look like after taking a hit along the way?

Could Amos actually holdout of training camp?

The short answer is yes, because it's already happened, and others are expected to join. The Chargers reported for training camp this week, and rookie WR Tre Harris is sitting out of practice while he awaits his deal. This is obviously something that Washington wants to avoid with Amos projected to be a starter on the outside just opposite of Marshon Lattimore, but if he does sit out, this gives Jonathan Jones and others a chance to shine.

Bottom line is that this is out of the Commanders', and Amos' control, and the rest of the league waits for the Seahawks to make their move, and save the headache for the rest of the league.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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