Why cornerback Brandon Cisse is the only Packers draft pick still unsigned and what is delaying his rookie contract
The Packers have already signed five of their six draft picks. Once again, the second-rounder is the only one left, and this is an NFL-wide problem.
It’s the same story all over again. Last year, second-round pick Anthony Belton was the last Green Bay Packers draft pick to sign his rookie deal. In 2026, the team has already agreed to deals with every drafted rookie, except for second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse.
This year, the stalemate is even more troubling since Cisse is the team’s first pick — they traded their first-rounder to acquire Micah Parsons back in August. Don’t worry, it will get solved soon, but it might take some time before training camp begins.
Why the second round is a point of contention
Since the 2011 CBA was established, there is a rookie-wage scale for contracts of drafted players. Their salaries, length of the deal, and signing bonuses are all pre-determined. However, teams and agents always find some details to negotiate over. For second-rounders, it’s a big one: Guarantees.
In 2025, for the first time ever, some second-round picks signed fully-guaranteed deals: Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger and Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins, the 33rd and 34th pick in the draft, started a trend. Every pick until the 40th, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, ended up with those full guarantees.
In that class, the 52nd pick was Tennessee Titans edge defender Oluwafemi Oladejo. He was the last pick to get full guarantees until Year 3 of his four-year deal. Anthony Belton was the 54th, with full guarantees in the first two years, plus some in Year 3.
Now with Cisse, the Packers will inevitably have to guarantee his first three years, and then probably some in Year 4. The question is how much. For now, both sides have to wait and see how some of the deals in front of them materialize — and that will help determine Cisse’s contract details.
So far, the Las Vegas Raiders have already signed defensive back Treydan Stukes — but he’s the 38th pick, in the fully-guaranteed range. That’s not much of a factor for the Packers.
There’s no rush, though. Brandon Cisse participated in the team’s rookie minicamp and will likely be around for the rest of the offseason program. When training camp comes around, both sides will most likely have found a deal.
