Tyler Onyedim's Rookie Contract Has a $0 Guaranteed Salary and That's a Problem For Every NFL Draft Pick

Alright, football fans, you might have seen the news about some third-round picks finally signing their rookie deals, and yeah, that "logjam" everyone was talking about is starting to break. But don't let the headlines fool you into thinking it's all smooth sailing. The Broncos just inked defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim, the second player picked in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft, and while it's good for him to finally get paid, what's *not* in that contract is going to make you furious. Seriously, this could set a terrifying precedent across the league.

The Brutal Reality of Rookie Deals

Let's break down Onyedim's deal. He's got a four-year contract worth $7.38 million. Sounds decent, right? Plus, he gets a $1.8 million signing bonus, which is money in his pocket no matter what. That's good. But here's the gut-punch: according to Luca Evans from the Denver Post, Onyedim got absolutely no guaranteed base salary. ZERO. Zip. Nada. Think about that for a second. For a guy drafted high in the third round, to not have a single dollar of his actual playing salary guaranteed? That's a brutal reality check, not just for him, but for every single player entering the league. Agents have been fighting tooth and nail for guaranteed base salary for these guys, but teams are holding firm. They're only guaranteeing the signing bonus, a

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nd that's it. It feels like a power play, and it's definitely not in the players' favor.

The Logjam Breaks, But What's Next?

Onyedim's signing on Sunday night came just hours after the Raiders locked down Keyron Crawford, the third player drafted in the third round. So, yeah, the dominoes are starting to fall. But this zero-guaranteed-base-salary trend is the real story here. What does this mean for the other guys still waiting? The top third-round pick, Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck, is still unsigned. So are the Eagles' offensive tackle Markel Bell, the Bears' tight end Sam Roush, and the 49ers' edge rusher Romello Height. Are these guys going to have to cave to the same no-guaranteed-base-salary terms? This isn't just about a few guys in the third round; this is about the evolving landscape of rookie contracts across the entire NFL. If teams can get away with this now, what's to stop them from trying it with even higher picks in the future? This is a stark reminder that even after you hear your name called on draft day, the real battle for fair compensation is just beginning. We'll be watching closely to see how Beck, Bell, Roush, and Height's situations resolve. Will they hold out for guaranteed money, or will they be forced to accept similar terms to Onyedim? The answer could shape rookie deals for years to come, and that affects every team, including our Hawks down the line. We want our guys protected, and this trend is not it.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.