Ian Rapoport reports the Jets and first round pick Darron Lee are not close to resolving their contract standoff before training camp starts today. If no deal is struck, Lee will become a rookie holdout.
As #Jets players report today, there is no deal on the horizon for 20th pick LB Darron Lee. Last year, picks 1-19 got fully guaranteed deals
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 27, 2016
There was a report a few days back that the issue was the fourth year of the contract. The Jets reportedly do not want the money to be guaranteed, while Lee does.
If that report is accurate, I have a tough time defending the front office on this one. The picks in front of Lee got that money guaranteed. This is really about as much of a nonissue as could be. The money guaranteed would be less than 1% of the salary cap, and Lee would have to be an epic bust to be cut before his fourth year. Dee Milliner has been one of the least successful Draft picks in team history, and he is around for a fourth year. Vernon Gholston himself is the only Jets first rounder in the last 20 years to not make a fourth season.
The Jets should get Lee into camp if this is the issue.