With Romeo Doubs and Zach Tom both signing their rookie contracts on Thursday, Christian Watson is the only member of the Green Bay Packers’ 2022 draft class without a deal. While there is no reason to panic, it is possible that the absence of an agreement could be financially driven.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, agents are unable to negotiate the length of a rookie contract. All newly drafted players receive a four-year contract, while first-rounders carry a fifth-year team option. There is still some wiggle room when it comes to the money side of things, but it was drastically reduced under the CBA that went into effect in 2011. For more perspective, just look at the rookie deals signed by Sam Bradford and Matt Stafford compared to Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence.
In its current state, agents are tasked with the impossible of pushing these financial boundaries to their limits to satisfy their clients.
