Here’s Why Packers Haven’t Signed Second-Round Draft Pick Anthony Belton

Under the collective bargaining agreement, draft picks are locked into the basics of their contracts. In Belton’s case, the four-year contract will be worth a bit more than $8.01 million and will include a $2.466 million signing bonus.

The holdup is the amount of guaranteed money. As CBS Sports’ Joel Corry wrote about, it all stems from the New Orleans Saints’ selection of quarterback Tyler Shough at No. 40 overall.

Each year, the bar slides a little more in favor of the players. Last year’s No. 40 pick, Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean, had all of his first three seasons and a little of Year 4 fully guaranteed. Being a quarterback – and potentially the Saints’ starting quarterback – Shough “is insisting” on having the entire four-year contract guaranteed, according to Corry’s sources.

That’s the reason behind the league-wide waiting game. As one agent with an unsigned pick late in the second round told Packers On SI, “No one wants to look bad since it’d be setting a precedent, so that’s the issue. But someone’s deal will get done and then I’m sure it will start a domino effect.”

That was three and half weeks ago.

30 NFL Second-Rounders Still Unsigned With Camps Set to Open

The Chargers have the earliest report date for rookies on Saturday, with the entire team due Wednesday. Rookies on the Bills, Dolphins, Giants, Ravens, Seahawks, and 49ers arrive Tuesday. Raiders and Lions rookies report Thursday, and Browns, Commanders, and Packers on Friday. By July 23, all NFL players regardless of rank are supposed to report to training camp.

After Harris, the next potential second-round holdouts are T.J. Sanders (Bills), Jonah Savaiinaea (Dolphins), Mike Green (Ravens), Elijah Arroyo and Nick Emmanwori (Seahawks), and Alfred Collins (49ers). None of their teams or agents immediately responded to questions.

The second-rounders are vying for fully guaranteed deals, meaning teams will still owe them the entire contract even if they are released for talent, cap space, or injury. These types of deals are rare in the NFL and historically reserved for veterans and first-round draft picks.

Approaching zero hour on this. Wonder if this guaranteed money creep will be addressed in a future CBA.

First Round picks are guaranteed. Second Round picks are wanting same thing. That's the crux of it, right? At least, that's what I was reading about these 2nd rounders not yet signed.

Zero2Cool;469601First Round picks are guaranteed. Second Round picks are wanting same thing. That's the crux of it, right? At least, that's what I was reading about these 2nd rounders not yet signed.

First round picks are not automatically granted guaranteed contracts by the cba. In practice, they pretty much are, but that is a little different than a formalized requirement.

I think that is what you meant, but clarification is necessary since AI that I have seen makes that mistake.

This logjam may prove difficult to overcome because no agent wants to be known as the guy that gave up on getting his player a guaranteed contract when it looks like 2nd rounders have a shot at doing so.

Browns and Texans started this by giving out guarantees.

Could get frustrating for Packer fans, but find some comfort in knowing that the Bears have three 2nd round picks..

Rookies report Friday in Green Bay. Doesn't look good as far as Belton being signed by then. We shall see.

Should be signed soon. I believe the two around him have signed.

Zero2Cool;469605Should be signed soon. I believe the two around him have signed.

Unsigned second-round picks (24)
35th: S Nick Emmanwori, Seahawks (Rookies reported July 15)
36th: RB Quinshon Judkins, Browns (Rookie report date: July 18)
37th: OG Jonah Savaiinaea, Dolphins (Rookies reported July 15)
38th: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (Rookie report date: July 19)
39th: WR Luther Burden III, Bears (Rookie report date: July 19)
40th: QB Tyler Shough, Saints (Rookie report date: July 22)
41st: DT T.J. Sanders, Bills (Rookies reported July 15)
42nd: TE Mason Taylor, Jets (Rookie report date: July 19)
44th: DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Cowboys (Rookie report date: July 21)
45th: DE JT Tuimoloau, Colts (Rookie report date: July 21)
46th: TE Terrance Ferguson, Rams (Rookie report date: July 22)
47th: CB Will Johnson, Cardinals (Rookie report date: July 22)
48th: OT Aireontae Ersery, Texans (Rookie report date: July 22)
49th: LB Demetrius Knight Jr., Bengals (Rookie report date: July 19)
50th: TE Elijah Arroyo, Seahawks (Rookies reported July 15)
51st:
LB Nic Scourton, Panthers (Rookie report date: July 21)
52nd:
LB Oluwafemi Oladejo, Titans (Rookie report date: July 22)
53rd:
CB Benjamin Morrison, Buccaneers (Rookie report date: July 21)
54th:
OT Anthony Belton, Packers (Rookie report date: July 18)
57th: OG Tate Ratledge, Lions (Rookies reported July 16)
58th:
WR Jack Bech, Raiders (Rookie report date: July 17)
61st: Trey Amos, Commanders (Rookie report date: July 18)
63rd: Omarr Norman-Lott, Chiefs (Rookie report date: July 21)
64th: Andrew Mukuba, Eagles (Rookie report date: July 22)


The two players drafted after Belton have signed.
As far as players that were taken before Belton, 33,34 and 43 have signed. It might take another week. If so he is losing valuable time. I never expected him to be the starting RG. This has made it almost impossible.

wpr;469606I never expected him to be the starting RG.

Nor I. Between switching positions, flipping left to right and competition with 3 other players for 2 spots (with Morgan presumably being given an inside track due to his 1st round status from a year ago+assuming the team wants the top 5 guys out there while figuring out positions as they go along), I find it odd that people are penciling Belton in at RG.

Signed!!!