Jabrill Peppers Contract: 1st-round pick poised to hold out?

When it comes to the Jabrill Peppers contract talks, the first-round pick out of the University of Michigan could be poised to hold out.

Cleveland Browns first-round draft pick Jabrill Peppers already made waves when he didn’t sign his pact to participate during the first day of rookie mini-camp.

Peppers signed the agreement the next day, and took part in the second day of practice. However, his decision cast a weird vibe over the first day of rookie practice and now Browns Town has to wonder if he’s poised to holdout during Training Camp.

Cleveland.com columnist Terry Pluto expressed concerns over a possible holdout, because Peppers is represented by Creative Arts Agency. CAA also represents Joey Bosa, who had a lengthy holdout of his own with the Chargers after being taken third overall during the 2016 draft.

Pluto wrote:

"It will be interesting to watch the Peppers contract talks. He is represented by Creative Arts Agency. They held out Joey Bosa last season. Peppers was the only Browns player not to sign the “participation agreement” to take part in rookie camp. That was the first day and he didn’t practice. He signed it the next day and took part."

Thanks to the current labor agreement, rookie contracts are pretty cut and dry.  Salaries are slotted, but with that said, there’s still some minor things to haggle over, chiefly, “offset language.”

What is offset language and why is it important to players? CBS Sports explains:

"Offset language is important to a player because it potentially gives them the ability to be paid twice if they get cut. If Bosa were to be released in Year 4 of his deal and then sign with a new team, he would collect paychecks from both his new team and the Chargers, since his entire rookie deal is guaranteed."

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Artie Burns with the 25th pick in the 2016 draft. Burns signed for  $9.59 million over four years, including a $5.175-million signing bonus. In 2015, Carolina gave linebacker Shaq Thompson $7.172 million guaranteed and a $4.66-million signing bonus.

So what techniques by CAA try with the Browns?

The agency held out Bosa because the player wanted one of two things from the Chargers, according to CBS Sports.

"He either wanted no offset language in his contract OR he wanted his entire signing bonus paid during the 2016 calendar year."

The Chargers got what they wanted in in the contract because the deal included offset language (meaning they don’t have to pay him if he gets cut in year four, while Bosa signed the largest upfront signing bonus in Chargers history, according to ESPN.

The Browns have now signed seven of their 10 2017 draft picks, with the most prominent name, No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett, getting locked up before the weekend.

Other signees include defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (third round), corner Howard Wilson (fourth round), offensive lineman Roderick Johnson (fifth round), defensive lineman Caleb Brantley (sixth round), kicker Zane Gonzalez (seventh round) and running back Matthew Dayes (seventh round).

Next: QB job is DeShone Kizer's for the taking

The three remaining players include Peppers, tight end David Njkou (first round), quarterback DeShone Kizer (second round)