Contract holdouts are one of the NFL’s most dramatic offseason storylines — where elite talent, front-office politics, and financial strategy collide. From players skipping training camp to sitting out entire seasons, holdouts have often reshaped careers, team dynamics, and even league-wide contract trends.
Here’s a look back at some of the most unforgettable holdouts in NFL history and the lasting impact they’ve made.
1. Darrelle Revis (2010, New York Jets)
No player defined the modern holdout like Darrelle Revis. During the height of Hard Knocks, the All-Pro cornerback skipped training camp and preseason, demanding a new deal — despite having years left on his rookie contract. His boldness paid off: he signed a new deal just before Week 1. Revis would go on to use this strategy multiple times across his career, eventually earning over $124 million. He approached football like a business — and proved that stars can win.
2. Le’Veon Bell (2018, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Perhaps the most extreme modern example, Le’Veon Bell sat out an entire season after being franchise tagged for the second year in a row. Already one of the league’s top dual-threat running backs, Bell wanted a long-term deal with guarantees that matched his production. He never got it in Pittsburgh, forfeited millions, and signed with the New York Jets in 2019. While his post-Steelers career fizzled, Bell made a bold statement about player autonomy — and inspired cautionary tales for teams and players alike.
3. Melvin Gordon (2019, Los Angeles Chargers)
Gordon held out into the regular season, betting on his value as a top-tier running back. The Chargers offered a deal reportedly worth over $10 million per year, but he declined. Meanwhile, Austin Ekeler emerged as a breakout star, undercutting Gordon’s leverage. Gordon returned midseason but was never fully re-integrated and later admitted he mishandled the situation. It became a pivotal example of how quickly leverage can disappear in the modern running back market.
4. Ezekiel Elliott (2019, Dallas Cowboys)
Training in Cabo while the Cowboys prepped for the season, Elliott made headlines for holding out with two years left on his rookie deal. His strategy worked: Jerry Jones handed him a 6-year, $90 million extension with creative guarantees that kept Zeke in Dallas longer than expected. Though his production declined, the structure of the deal impacted the Cowboys’ cap and even delayed other contract negotiations — including Dak Prescott’s.
5. Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack (2018)
In a span of 24 hours, the defensive market shifted dramatically.
- Donald, after two years of team-friendly play, finally secured a 6-year, $135 million deal with the Rams.
- Mack, locked in a stalemate with new Raiders coach Jon Gruden, was traded to the Bears and signed a record-breaking $141 million extension.
The back-to-back moves reset expectations for elite defensive players and highlighted how quickly a lack of communication can lead to seismic trades.
6. Earl Thomas (2018, Seattle Seahawks)
After threatening to sit out, Thomas returned without a new deal — only to suffer a season-ending leg injury in Week 4. As he was carted off the field, he gave the Seahawks sideline the middle finger, a lasting image that symbolized player frustration with the “play now, get paid later” philosophy. Thomas eventually signed with Baltimore, but his career never fully recovered.
7. Lamar Jackson (2021–2023, Baltimore Ravens)
In a rare case, Jackson represented himself during a lengthy, high-stakes negotiation. After years without an extension, he requested a trade and went public with his dissatisfaction — only for no teams to pursue him, even while on the non-exclusive franchise tag. Ultimately, Jackson re-signed with Baltimore after Jalen Hurts reset the quarterback market. The situation sparked debates about guaranteed contracts and whether the league collectively cooled on Jackson’s market value.
8. Chris Jones (2023, Kansas City Chiefs)
Coming off a Super Bowl win, Jones sat out Week 1 of the 2023 season in search of a raise. He was shown on camera watching from a luxury suite as the Chiefs fell to the Lions. Though he quickly returned, the holdout reinforced his value. He was rewarded in 2024 with a 5-year, $158 million deal that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league.
9. Brandon Aiyuk (2024, San Francisco 49ers)
Aiyuk’s holdout was full of cryptic social media posts, near-trades, and quiet tension within the 49ers’ building. Trade packages from the Patriots, Browns, and Steelers were reportedly in place — but Aiyuk refused to leave San Francisco. Eventually, he signed a $30 million per year extension, bringing an end to one of the most drawn-out wide receiver standoffs in recent years.
Key Takeaways
- Elite leverage wins: When star players hold out, they often get what they want — if the timing and performance back it up.
- Early extensions pay off: Franchises like the Eagles and Bills avoid drama by extending young stars proactively.
- Running backs walk a tightrope: As positional value drops, even top-tier RBs struggle to maintain leverage.
- Representation matters: From agents like Rocky Arceneaux to players like Lamar Jackson representing themselves, the negotiation process can dramatically influence the outcome.
Final Word
Holdouts are risky, emotional, and often polarizing — but they remain one of the most powerful tools elite NFL players have. For teams, it’s a constant balancing act between cap strategy and keeping the locker room united. For fans, it’s a reminder that the NFL is a business first — and that behind every Sunday highlight is a long negotiation table.
