NFL Rumors: 5 Players Who Will Holdout in 2011

Now that the NFL Lockout has officially come to an end, player movement via free agency is going at a rapid pace.  Unfortunately for some teams, they are having difficulty keeping the players they already have under contract happy.

Every year in the NFL, players holdout for more money or a long-term deal. Even with this season's shortened offseason, the same is true.

Here is a list of five guys who will be holding out of training camp and possibly into the regular season.

5. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Running backs in the recent history of the NFL are known to have a very short shelf life.  Because of the wear and tear on their bodies, running backs tend to have shorter careers than other position players.

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte is trying to get his money now before it is too late.  This season, Forte is scheduled to make $550K in the final year of his rookie contract. 

Since being drafted by the Bears in 2008, Forte has been their workhorse, accumulating 3,236 rushing yards and 1,495 receiving yards.  Forte, 25, has the fifth most yards from scrimmage since coming into the leagues a few years ago.

He knows that it is time to get a new deal done before the season starts in case he goes down with a serious injury.  Forte would like to avoid holding out, but if the Bears don’t get something done soon, it is almost inevitable.

4. Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Former first-round draft pick Marcedes Lewis had a breakout year last season for the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The 27-year-old Lewis went for over 700 yards receiving and caught 10 touchdown passes.

Lewis would like to be paid like one of the top tight ends in the NFL, but the Jags have a lot of other items of business to worry about in the first days after the lockout.  Currently, Lewis has signed the franchise-player tender but would prefer a long-term deal that can secure his financial future.

Obviously Jacksonville would like to get Lewis on the field as soon as possible, but unless they start working on a deal soon, Lewis could miss some game time.

3. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers

New head coach Jim Harbaugh was looking forward to having a healthy Frank Gore in his backfield in his first season with the 49ers.  Unfortunately, it is going to take some shrewd negotiating to make that happen.

Gore is entering the final year of his contract, which is scheduled to pay him $5 million.  At 28 years old, Gore realizes this may be his last shot to get a lucrative deal.

Because of his past health issues, I could see this going on right up until the beginning of the season.  Gore’s 2010 season was cut short with a fractured hip which has now healed, but he has also undergone two knee surgeries and two shoulder surgeries in the past.

San Francisco will be sure not to jump the gun on this one and sign Gore to a deal that makes sense for both sides.  As the 49ers move into the Jim Harbaugh era, they do not want to handicap their financial future.

2. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Since coming into the NFL in 2008, DeSean Jackson has earned the reputation of being one of the most dangerous athletes in the NFL.  Now he’d like to be paid like one. 

Jackson is entering the final year of his rookie contract which is scheduled to pay him $565K, one of the lowest salaries of all Eagles' starters.

Although Jackson has given no indication that he will test free agency after this season, it is in the best interest of the Eagles organization to get this situation figured out quickly. 

With a shortened offseason, Philadelphia doesn’t have time to waste if they want to start the season strong and be a power in the NFC East.

1. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson is arguably the best running back in the NFL and is the center piece to the Tennessee Titans offense.  Johnson is threatening to holdout this year unless he gets the monster contract that he is looking for.

The Titans need to get this done soon, because Johnson is crucial to Tennessee’s success.  With new quarterback Matt Hasselbeck at the helm and rookie Jake Locker behind him, the Titans need Johnson to help the offense run smoothly.

Johnson knows that he is in the prime of his career now, and he wants to get paid before his days in the NFL are numbered.  Both sides in this deal know that they need each other, so I expect this deal to get done before opening kickoff of the regular season.