Broncos Sign Jahdae Barron—Why One First-Rounder Still Hangs in Limbo

A signature that should have taken weeks materialized in days—Jahdae Barron, Denver’s first-round pick, signed his rookie deal, bringing his four-year, $18 million contract with fifth-year option into the fold. That leaves just one glaring exception: Cincinnati’s Shemar Stewart, the lone draft-day holdout. What lies behind this contract ballet, and why does one player’s penmanship—or lack thereof—feel seismic?

This isn’t just paperwork—it’s a window into how the NFL’s rookie wage scale meets rising demands for guarantees and leverage.

Signed—and Sooner Than Expected
Barron’s swift contract closure reflects Broncos’ confidence in their Jim Thorpe Award–winning cornerback. At $18 million guaranteed, he joins Denver’s elite defense nearly day zero, ready to learn from Patrick Surtain II and Sean Payton. His maturity—thanking the draft room on speaker—and his versatility earned him this fast-track resolution .

But Barron’s deal also contrasts sharply with the league-wide freeze affecting nearly every pick beyond round one—30 second-rounders remain unsigned.

Guarantees, Language, and the One Who Stays Unsigned
Stewart’s holdout isn’t about money—it’s about power. His camp is pushing back against voidable guarantees tied to off-field risks. The Bengals balked; Stewart walked out of minicamp, insisting his contract mirror the value he brings . That standoff leaves him uniquely uncommitted as training camps open.

Barron faced similar gambits during negotiations around guaranteed money—but chose swift alignment over protracted pushback. His decision underlines a bigger question: in a system designed to compress rookie deals, how much negotiating power remains for players—and how far will they push?

Barron’s signature sealed one story—but Stewart’s silence speaks louder. As rookies converge around signed pads or unpaid promises, the NFL faces a turning point: will this rookie class force a redefinition of guarantees and leverage?

Because when one pen hovers above a contract, it can shift the entire narrative of power in pro sports.