The Biggest Running Back Contract Holdouts in NFL History
The Biggest Running Back Contract Holdouts in NFL History
By Edcel Panganiban August 21, 2024 07:26
Contract holdouts are a major thing in the NFL. The disputes often illustrate the push-pull between players chasing long-term financial stability and teams looking to keep salary cap flexibility. Nowhere is this more prevalent than at the running back position, which also has an inherently shorter shelf life by nature of its physicality. Here, in descending order of significance based on how each move affected the player, his team, and the league at large, is a glance back at some of the five largest running-back contract holdouts in NFL history.
1. Le'Veon Bell (2018)
Overview of the Holdout
Le'Veon Bell's 2018 sit-out is among the most memorable in NFL history. The Pittsburgh Steelers franchise tagged their star running back, LeVeon Bell, on a 14.5 million dollar tag and the former Michigan State Spartan decided not to sign until he got that long-term deal from them, but this is where things turn ugly. The Steelers had offered Bell a five-year contract that would pay him $17 million the first year, which caused an angry verification function because it was not enough for one of the best players in football.
Key Details of the Dispute
Player's Demands: Bell sought a multiple-year deal commensurate with his status among the NFL's elite running backs.
Where the Team Stood: The Steelers had gone as high as they would go, having decided that their asking price was more than sufficient.
Holdout Progression: Bell never showed up for camp and missed the entire 2018 season, losing $14.5 million of his franchise tag.
Impact and Analysis
The Steelers resorted to using James Conner, who had a good 2018 season with 973 rushing yards and an astonishing 13 touchdowns while earning only a fraction of what the team would have played Bell. The threat of Bell never returned, and his absence worked against the Steelers in more than one way. Bell may have done it his way, but he admits in hindsight that sitting out went too far for an all-pro who essentially shorted himself on millions of dollars and a direct path to the Hall of Fame. It was a trailblazing case for future running backs and underscored one of the dangers of taking that path to secure long-term security.
2. Melvin Gordon (2019)
Overview of the Holdout
Melvin Gordon's holdout in 2019 was another more prominent case that gathered league-wide interest. Gordon was the starting running back for the Los Angeles Chargers, but when it came time to get paid after a good season, he asked for an extension since they did not match his demands.
Key Details of the Dispute
Gordon's Hold Out: Gordon sought a big raise, hoping for a reserve that would allow him to earn over eight figures per year and make him one of the highest-paid running backs this season.
Team Stance: The Chargers refused to negotiate, feeling confident they had a solid backup in Austin Ekeler.
Peak Holdout: Gordon sat out the entire preseason and first four games before finally reporting to his team.
Impact and Analysis
Gordon attempted to play hardball by sitting out, but Ekeler proved adept enough as a starter, which shifted the dynamics of Los Angeles's offensive play. After returning, Gordon never returned to peak form, and the Chargers released him this offseason. The situation with Gordon only underscores the danger of holdouts, particularly for running backs who could see their spot threatened by younger players.
3. Saquon Barkley (2023)
Overview of the Holdout
Star New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley had a contract dilemma in 2023. Barkley didn't take kindly to being franchise-tagged and even mulled the option of holding out for something more secure than a one-year pact.
Key Details of the Dispute
Player's Wants: Barkley wanted a multi-year deal at or near the top of the running back market.
Team's Perspective: The Giants were reluctant to make a longer-term investment for long-range salary cap purposes.
Holdout Progression: Barkley eventually settled for a one-year deal to avoid missing the season, but it was readily apparent that there were still significant power issues bubbling beneath the surface between player and team.
Impact and Analysis
Barkley is the latest example of running backs around the NFL failing to lock up second contracts. His choice to take the franchise tag in his state of discontent underscores the tough decisions players make when weighing their long-term careers against short-term financial security. Perhaps his holdout will scare other running backs into accepting a below-market deal rather than dealing with the complexities of contract disputes and holding out in an NFL that often undervalues the position or at least treats them as more replaceable than elite starters.
4. Ezekiel Elliott (2020)
Overview of the Holdout
Another landmark event in the NFL was Ezekiel Elliott's holdout in 2020. The Dallas Cowboys' star running back wanted a new deal before the year started, and through it all, he wasn't happy enough to do camp without one.
Key Details of the Dispute
What the Player Wanted: Elliott wanted a deal to put him up there with some of the highest-paid running backs in football.
Team's Position: Dallas was not amenable to that, given its contractual and salary-cap circumstances in general.
Holdout Progression: Before the regular season started, Elliott stepped back and launched training camp and preseason.
Impact and Analysis
Elliott's holdout also heightened the conversation about running backs in today's NFL. He may have ended up with a fat contract in the end, but his holdout only underscored how precarious things can become for players angling to secure their long-term future.
Now that we have investigated the five most prominent examples of running backs holding out for a new contract, it is time to discuss some key takeaways from these analyses as they pertain to NFL player negotiations. Every one of these cases highlights the difficulties in which running backs can never secure long-term financial security, and every team deals with their salary cap.
Key Takeaways
Player Leverage: Running backs sometimes get screwed over in contract negotiations as their teams may look elsewhere for reasons due to their age or other ways they want to build the team.
Impact on Teams: They hurt their teams, as Bell and Gordon did earlier this season, with poor team chemistry, which even affects performance.
Future Trends: As the league changes, running backs may want to be more flexible at the bargaining table as we see an elevated emphasis on passing games and dual-threat players.
One thing is for sure, this running back contract landscape will remain a chameleon, and the players need to adjust to it if they want to hit their paydays in an NFL that all too often undervalues them.
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