NFL's 7 Most Explosive Holdouts and Contract Disputes Since 2015
Contract disputes are a normal part of the NFL calendar, but they'll occasionally spill into the preseason and beyond.
At this point, the 2024 campaign may be remembered as a hotbed of holdouts. Brandon Aiyuk, Haason Reddick and Matthew Judon are just three of several players who chose not to participate in training camp while seeking an extension with a pay raise.
Most recently, that led to Judon getting traded—with questions, as of this writing—still swirling around Aiyuk in particular.
The last decade has included quite a few notable holdouts, which have produced varying results.
Kam Chancellor (2015)
1 of 7
The hardest-hitting member in the "Legion of Boom" secondary, Kam Chancellor eyed a raise in 2015.
Because he'd signed an extension that took effect one year earlier, however, the Seattle Seahawks didn't budge on the request.
When the Seahawks began the season, the safety elected to not play in the first two games. Seattle lost both of them—including one to the St. Louis Rams as the defense gave up a last-minute tying touchdown in the fourth quarter—before he returned in Week 3.
And the Seahawks promptly shut out the Chicago Bears.
Chancellor ended up playing a key role in Seattle clipping the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. He forced a fumble that led to the Seahawks' go-ahead field goal in a 10-9 victory.
It would prove to be his final Pro Bowl season, as a neck injury led to the end of his career in 2018.
Earl Thomas (2018)
2 of 7
Three seasons later, the Seahawks had another contentious offseason with a star defensive back.
This time, it was safety Earl Thomas. And unlike Chancellor's mini-saga, it ended in devastating fashion.
One picture says it all.
Entering the final year of his contract, Thomas sought an extension to stay. He memorably said "pay me or trade me" in advance of the 2018 campaign, and neither one happened. Thomas reported to the team, but disaster struck in Week 4 when he broke his right leg.
While getting carted off the field, Thomas flashed a one-finger salute in the direction of Seattle coach Pete Carroll.
Though he missed the remainder of the season, Thomas inked a four-year, $55 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. That relationship ended poorly for different reasons, but at least the injury didn't initially ruin Thomas' value.
Le'Veon Bell (2018)
3 of 7
By far, the most memorable recent holdout in the NFL belongs to former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell.
In 2018, the three-time All-Pro just didn't play.
Bell refused to sign the franchise tag of $14.5 million, instead seeking an extension. He'd turned down a five-year contract offer from the Steelers that included a modest $17 million of guarantees and didn't want to suit up without a long-term commitment.
Unfortunately for Bell, his leverage quickly waned. Pittsburgh moved on to James Conner, who rushed for 973 yards, caught 55 passes for 497 yards and totaled 13 touchdowns on a $668,000 base salary.
Bell, in hindsight, has said he regrets the decision.
.jpg?w=256 "PATRIOTS-VRABEL")
Melvin Gordon (2019)
4 of 7
The next season, Melvin Gordon also decided to hold out. He, too, eventually looked back with regret.
Gordon rose to prominence as the featured runner for the San Diego (and then Los Angeles) Chargers. The versatile back had averaged 907 rushing yards, 45.5 receptions for 394.3 yards and 9.5 touchdowns through the first four seasons of his career.
So, in 2019, Gordon asked for an extension. He didn't play in a preseason game or the opening four weeks of the season.
Similar to Bell, though, the holdout backfired.
Gordon's absence forced Los Angeles to lean on Austin Ekeler, who quickly emerged as a capable lead back. The team moved on from Gordon, who bolted for the Denver Broncos in 2020 free agency and immediately lamented how he handled the L.A. situation.
Chris Jones (2023)
5 of 7
As for Chris Jones, there shouldn't be a ton of regret.
The bad news? While he watched from a suite, the Kansas City Chiefs dropped their opening game to the Detroit Lions in heart-breaking fashion. Jones, a four-time All-Pro defensive tackle, had asked for $30 million per year and refused to play in the preseason or Week 1.
Shortly after the loss, a reworked agreement tacked on at least $6.75 million of incentives to his $19.5 million salary.
Jones carried the Chiefs' defensive front, tallying 10.5 sacks and 39 pressures en route to first-team All-Pro honors. He added six tackles and seven pressures in the playoffs as Kansas City won another Super Bowl.
Following the season, Jones and the Chiefs settled on a five-year extension for $158.75 million with $101 million guaranteed.
Jonathan Taylor (2023)
6 of 7
Jonathan Taylor battled an ankle injury in 2022 and underwent surgery in the offseason. While the running back recovered, he approached the Indianapolis Colts with an extension.
Obviously, you know where this is headed.
Taylor had a meeting with Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay in late July. Afterward, the fourth-year player requested a trade. The team's asking price thwarted interest, and Taylor began the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Throw in his agent's not-so-subtle activity on social media and the reported-but-denied storyline of a back injury, and this eventful saga included some unexpected twists, too.
Shortly before Week 5, the All-Pro back and Indianapolis reached a deal for three years and $42 million.
Matthew Judon (2024)
7 of 7
Back in June, Matthew Judon said he wasn't worried about holding out. Fast-forward to July, and the veteran edge-rusher took the "hold-in" approach as a non-practicing observer—which led to a viral moment of an animated discussion with head coach Jerod Mayo.
Move ahead to August, however, and he's no longer part of the New England Patriots' roster.
The organization sent him to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft. Reportedly, the agreement was made without an extension in place for Judon.
Barring an extension, Judon will be due $6.7 million with Atlanta during the final season of his contract.
.jpg?w=480 "PATRIOTS-VRABEL")
.jpg?w=480 "NFL Combine Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Former President Crashes Cowboys Presser")
