As the clock ticks down to the Philadelphia Eagles’ training camp, set to kick off in just two days, a storm is brewing that could shake the team to its core. At the heart of the tension is the unresolved contract situation of Drew Mukuba, the 64th and final pick of the second round in this year’s NFL Draft. With the majority of second-round picks now signed, Mukuba’s unsigned status looms large, threatening to disrupt the Eagles’ preparations for the upcoming season.
This past week saw a flurry of activity as most second-rounders secured their rookie deals, reducing the number of unsigned players from an initial group to just six. However, Mukuba remains a glaring exception. Unlike the Cleveland Browns, who are in no hurry to sign their embattled running back Quinshon Judkins (the 36th overall pick, currently sidelined by legal issues involving an alleged assault), the Eagles have no such excuse. Mukuba, a promising talent, is one of five unsigned second-rounders, alongside defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (No. 41, Buffalo Bills), cornerback Will Johnson (No. 47, Arizona Cardinals), defensive end Oluwafemi Oladejo, and cornerback Benjamin Morrison (No. 52, Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
The crux of the issue lies in the contentious demand for guaranteed money. After the Browns and Texans set a precedent by offering fully guaranteed contracts to their picks at No. 32 and No. 33, respectively, expectations shifted. Every pick through No. 40, including Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, has since secured guaranteed deals. Those signed beyond that point have received varying percentages of guaranteed money, leaving players like Mukuba in a precarious negotiating position.
For the Eagles, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The last time a player held out from training camp was in 2011, when DeSean Jackson missed the first 11 days at Lehigh in a contract dispute. More recently, general manager Howie Roseman faced a similar situation four years ago with second-round pick Landon Dickerson, who wasn’t signed until July 26—mere days before camp opened. History suggests Roseman plays hardball, but with Mukuba, the delay feels like a gamble the Eagles can ill afford.
In just three days, the Eagles will take the field for their first practice, and all eyes will be on whether Mukuba dons the No. 24 jersey or remains on the sidelines. A failure to secure his signature could send ripples through the locker room, undermining team unity and casting a shadow over Philadelphia’s season before it even begins. The Eagles stand at a crossroads—one unforgivable mistake could ruin everything. Will Roseman and the front office act swiftly to avert disaster, or will this contract saga spiral into a full-blown crisis? The countdown is on.