As teams kickoff the mandatory minicamp part of their offseason workout programs (21 teams are holding minicamp this week), several notable players have decided not to attend.
Here’s a roundup which players are skipping minicamp and why, plus additional news from around the league:
Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
Bills head coach Sean McDermott called Diggs’ absence from the team’s minicamp on Tuesday “very concerning.” He would not divulge any details as to why Diggs was absent, however, the star receiver’s agent Adisa Bakari told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Diggs has been in Buffalo since Monday and he even took his physical and met with McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. Bakari stated Diggs will be in Buffalo for “the entirety of minicamp.”
Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
Jones’ absence appears to be contract related. The 28-year-old defensive tackle is set to earn $19.5M in 2023 in the final season of the four-year, $80M contract he signed with the Chiefs in 2020. The four-time All-Pro is likely looking for a multi-year extension before he steps back onto a field and risks possible injury.
Although they’re all younger and have less mileage than Jones, Jeffery Simmons, DaRon Payne and Dexter Lawrence are other prominent defensive tackles who have signed sizeable contract extensions this offseason.
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Barkley’s back-and-forth with the Giants regarding a new contract has been detailed ad nauseum this offseason. The 26-year-old running back, who has a lengthy injury history, is playing it safe and sitting out team activities until he has a new contract in hand.
The Giants placed the franchise tag on Barkley, which carries a $10.1M salary, and they reportedly offered him a deal worth $14M per season that he turned down. Barkley further explained where he stands with the Giants at a recent youth football camp he was hosted.
“As I have previously stated, I’m not looking to set any records,” Barkley said in a statement. “I’m not demanding to be the highest-paid player at my position. I understand the market. My goal is just to be compensated respectfully based on my contributions to the team on the field and in the locker room. I’ve been in talks with the Giants throughout the offseason. If at some point there’s a deal that is fair to both sides on the table, I’ll be ready to sign.”
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Recap
A Roundup of NFL Minicamp: Those Who Were Absent, Those Not Active, and Additional Updates.
Several notable players, including Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills, Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, are skipping their team’s mandatory minicamp. While Diggs’ absence is concerning for the Bills, his agent has confirmed that he will be present for the entirety of the minicamp. Jones’ absence is believed to be contract-related, as he is looking for a multi-year extension before risking injury. Barkley’s absence is due to his ongoing negotiations with the Giants over a new contract, with the running back seeking fair compensation for his contributions to the team.
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