Prior to the implementation of the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement—which established a rookie wage scale with slotted contracts based on draft position—the first overall selection frequently signed their contract before the draft even commenced.
Fast forward to 2026: seven weeks and one day after the conclusion of the first round, 30 of the 32 selections have finalized their deals. The only remaining unsigned players are the two quarterbacks: Fernando Mendoza, the first overall pick, and Ty Simpson, selected 13th.
There is very little room for negotiation in these agreements. The primary points of contention typically involve cash flow—specifically the timing of the signing bonus payments—the mechanisms for voiding guarantees, and the inclusion of offset language within those guarantees.
The reasons for the delays regarding Mendoza and Simpson remain unclear. Both players could have leveraged their positions by declining to participate in offseason programs until their contracts were finalized—a strategy many argue all draft picks should employ.
While holdouts have become increasingly rare and both are expected to sign before the start of training camp, no agreement is official until the paperwork is complete. Nevertheless, it is notable that every first-round pick has reached an agreement except for the two quarterbacks.