The Dallas Cowboys kicked off their 2025 mandatory minicamp on Tuesday in Frisco, Texas, with all eyes on star linebacker Micah Parsons, who remains in a high-profile contract dispute. Parsons, the 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a four-time Pro Bowler, even hinted to ESPN that he might skip the team’s training camp, starting July 25 in Oxnard, California, if a new deal isn’t reached. However, another contract standoff quietly stole attention at minicamp: the case of second-round draft pick Donovan Ezeiruaku, the last unsigned member of the Cowboys’ 2025 draft class.
The Last Unsigned Rookie
While all eight other Cowboys rookies have already signed their contracts, Ezeiruaku, a highly-touted edge rusher from Boston College, has yet to put pen to paper. The 21-year-old from Williamstown, New Jersey, was a 2024 first-team All-American and the recipient of the Ted Hendricks Award as college football’s top defensive end. According to Spotrac, his four-year rookie contract is set at $10,144,808, with a $4,018,041 signing bonus and an average annual value of $2,536,202. Under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, rookie contract values are predetermined by draft slot, so money isn’t the issue. So, what’s causing the delay?
A League-Wide Standoff
The Dallas Morning News revealed the surprising reason behind Ezeiruaku’s unsigned contract: a league-wide trend among second-round picks. Of the 32 players selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, only two have signed—Cleveland linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Houston receiver Jayden Higgins. Both received fully guaranteed contracts, a rare and groundbreaking move in the NFL. Higgins, the second pick of the second round, made history as the first second-rounder to secure a fully guaranteed deal.
This precedent set by the Browns and Texans has thrown the second round into chaos. Agents for second-round picks, including Ezeiruaku’s, are now demanding fully guaranteed contracts for their clients. Two sources with knowledge of Ezeiruaku’s negotiations confirmed to The Dallas Morning News that this demand is the primary holdup. As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk noted, other teams are reluctant to follow Cleveland and Houston’s lead, while agents are pushing back, arguing, “If other second-rounders are getting fully guaranteed contracts, why should my player settle for less?”
Cowboys Fans: Don’t Blame Jerry Jones
#Cowboys Donovan Ezeiruaku just looks like the part. All the potential is there. Twitch, speed, bend, everything.
September can’t come any sooner.
(🎥: @CoachBTJordan on IG) pic.twitter.com/KMbrTaf10l
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) May 7, 2025
For Cowboys fans quick to point fingers at team owner and effective general manager Jerry Jones, the real culprits appear to be the Browns and Texans for setting a new standard. This league-wide standoff has left Ezeiruaku and nearly every other second-round pick in limbo. However, there’s little reason for Dallas fans to panic just yet.
Ezeiruaku’s Confidence
Despite the contract uncertainty, Ezeiruaku himself remains unfazed. Speaking to The Dallas Morning News, he expressed confidence that a deal will get done. “I’m here doing what I have to do here every single day. That’s between the organization and my agent,” Ezeiruaku said. “I have full faith they’re going to get that done. When it’s ready, it’s going to be ready, and I’ll sign that piece of paper. Other than that, until then, I’m doing what I have to do here.”
His focus on the field has already caught attention. A post on X by Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) on May 7, 2025, praised Ezeiruaku’s potential, stating, “Donovan Ezeiruaku just looks the part. All the potential is there. Twitch, speed, bend, everything. September can’t come any sooner.” The post included a video clip shared by @CoachBTJordan, highlighting the rookie’s athleticism.
No Cause for Alarm
While the delay in signing Ezeiruaku is unusual, it’s unlikely to prevent him from playing for the Cowboys. The issue is part of a broader trend affecting second-round picks across the NFL, not a Dallas-specific problem. With Ezeiruaku actively participating in minicamp and expressing trust in his agent and the organization, Cowboys fans can remain optimistic that their prized rookie will soon join the rest of the 2025 draft class in signing his contract.
For now, the focus remains on the field, where Ezeiruaku’s talent and potential are undeniable. As negotiations continue, Dallas fans eagerly await the moment their new defensive star officially becomes a Cowboy.