The Tennessee Titans head to training camp on July 22, and second-round edge Femi Oladejo remains unsigned. Which begs the question: Should fans be worried about a potential holdout?
In years past, that answer would be “no.” While second-rounders have signed later in the offseason, their deals usually get done a few weeks before the start of camp. That all changed this offseason, and now the timeline for second-rounders signing their rookie deals is an unknown. As teams head into training camps around the league, 30 of the 32 second-round picks remain unsigned.
The reason teams are in limbo with these picks can be traced back to the Houston Texans and Jayden Higgins.
Higgins, the 34th overall pick, was the first second-rounder signed, and the first second-round pick ever to receive a fully guaranteed contract. Previously, portions of the fourth season of their contracts were guaranteed, but never the entire agreement. The Texans’ decision caused a ripple effect, and now the rest of the NFL is left in its wake.
Higgins’ contract forced the Cleveland Browns to give linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the 33rd overall pick, a fully guaranteed deal as well. Now, the rest of the picks in the round want to follow this precedent, and it’s starting to have an impact on training camps.
Ian Rapoport reported that Los Angeles Chargers rookie wideout Tre Harris did not report to training camp and was listed as a holdout.
The deadline for #Chargers rookies to report is upon us and second round WR Tre Harris is officially a holdout, sources say.
With 30 of the 32 second-round picks unsigned because of a disagreement over guaranteed money, Harris makes the first official stand. pic.twitter.com/Z2PU9p0wEc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 12, 2025
Harris is the first of the second-rounders to miss the start of training camp, and he could be the first of many with the Chargers being the first team to open camp. While this is happening thousands of miles away, it has a direct impact on the Titans. Harris was the 55th pick in the draft, three spots after the Titans picked Oladejo at No. 52.
There is still time to finalize the deal before camp, with both Oladejo and the Titans should be motivated to finalize the contract, as both sides will benefit from his presence in camp. The rookie edge is being counted on to bring athleticism and attitude to the revamped unit, but he is still unrefined and can use all the reps he can get.
But the Titans find themselves outside the driver’s seat in these negotiations, being held hostage by those above them. With multiple teams reporting to camp in the coming days, these contracts should fall into place once other second-rounders start to sign. However, the situation could also linger if the players hold firm and refuse to settle for non-guaranteed deals.
What happens next is anyone’s guess, but it does potentially open the door for Oladejo to miss some time early in camp. This is a situation that should be closely monitored, not just in Nashville but across the entire NFL, as second-round picks and their agents navigate this new landscape.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Should Titans worry about Oluwafemi Oladejo remaining unsigned?