The grass is fresh at team facilities across the country, but the atmosphere feels heavy. Tomorrow, April 20, 2026, the majority of the league officially begins Voluntary Offseason Workouts (OTAs). While coaches often talk about “culture building” and “getting 1% better,” several stars may stay home. In 2026, the gap between “voluntary” and “mandatory” is thinner than ever, especially after Jaxon Smith-Njigba shattered the wide receiver market with a $42.15 million annual deal just two weeks ago.
General managers are bracing for empty lockers. When a player skips these sessions, they aren’t just missing cardio; they are sending a message. For the elite talent entering the final years of rookie deals, showing up without a long-term commitment feels like a risk they can no longer afford.
The C.J. Stroud Waiting Game
In Houston, the spotlight burns brightest on C.J. Stroud. General Manager Nick Caserio recently called the decision to pick up Stroud’s fifth-year option a “no-brainer.” It keeps the franchise cornerstone under control through 2027, but the move didn’t come with the long-term security many expected. Stroud took the Texans to the postseason, yet a difficult exit left some questioning if he is ready to join the $70 million-per-year club.
“He’s our quarterback. We’ve said that from the beginning,” Caserio told reporters on April 13. “We’re excited to have him around in the spring and excited to keep him forward.”
— Houston Texans Front Office Briefing
Stroud is currently at a crossroads. He wants to remain in Houston for the long haul, but his camp knows his value. If he isn’t on the field tomorrow, it signals that the “procedural” fifth-year option wasn’t enough to satisfy the face of the franchise. You can feel the tension in the air at NRG Stadium; the fans want a deal done, and the player wants to be paid like the elite passer his stats suggest he is.
Receiver Fever: Puka Nacua and the $43 Million Bar
The Los Angeles Rams face a similar headache. Puka Nacua is now extension-eligible and is reportedly looking to leapfrog Smith-Njigba as the highest-paid wideout in NFL history. After JSN’s historic extension with Seattle, the market has moved. Nacua has been the engine of the Rams’ offense, and his absence from the start of Voluntary Offseason Workouts (OTAs) would be a loud opening statement in negotiations.
The Rams have a history of paying their stars, but the numbers are getting astronomical. Negotiating a deal that rivals a small country’s GDP takes time. Until the ink is dry, don’t expect to see Nacua hauling in passes in thousand-degree heat without a new contract.
The Baltimore Cap Crunch
While some players stay away for new money, Lamar Jackson’s situation is about managing the old money. Jackson carries a monstrous $74.5 million cap hit for the 2026 season. The Ravens need to move quickly on an extension simply to breathe. Restructuring Jackson’s deal is the only way Baltimore can afford to surround their two-time MVP with the talent needed for another Super Bowl run. If Jackson isn’t there for the start of spring ball, it likely means the two sides are still haggling over the structure of a deal that could redefine “guaranteed money.”
2026 Contract Watch: Key Figures
| Player | Team | 2026 Status | Market Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens | $74.5M Cap Hit | Extension Priority |
| Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons | Extension Eligible | $20M+ APY |
| Puka Nacua | L.A. Rams | Extension Eligible | $43M+ APY |
| C.J. Stroud | Houston Texans | 5th-Year Option | $70M+ APY |
| Devon Witherspoon | Seattle Seahawks | Extension Eligible | $30M+ APY |
The Human Element: Why They Stay Home
It is easy to look at these players as numbers on a spreadsheet, but the pressure is personal. Imagine the stress of Jaelan Phillips or Devin Lloyd—stars who have given their bodies to the game—walking onto a field without insurance for their future. One bad slip on a wet blade of grass could cost them $100 million. The chilly April wind in Buffalo or the humid morning in Charlotte doesn’t deter these players; the fear of financial ruin does. Fans turn the stands into a sea of team colors every Sunday, but on Monday mornings in April, the game is played in boardrooms by men in suits.
We will know by 9:00 AM tomorrow who is “all in” and who is “holding out.” For the Texans, Rams, and Ravens, the silence of an empty locker might be the loudest noise of the offseason.
