3 NFL Holdouts That Could Get Ugly Soon

For the common NFL fan, it's difficult to understand why a star player would be unhappy with a one-year contract that guarantees him anywhere from $7.5 to upwards of $14 million a season. 

However, the long-term security is what these guys are after. With the prevalence of injuries in today's game, the last thing they want is to be without a job and income the following year. 

Let's look at the three current holdouts that could extend into the summer and get, well, rather ugly.

Drew Brees

After the catastrophic public relations offseason the New Orleans Saints have endured, one would have to think the front office would stop at nothing to sign their franchise quarterback, a guy coming off a record-shattering passing season in 2011. 

Getting a deal done that could realistically make Brees the richest player in league history won't be easy to finalize. 

On the Mike & Mike radio show, Brees stated the following about why he's reluctant to sign his lucrative franchise tender: (h/t USA Today):

"

I've played under the franchise tag before, back in 2005, and that ended with 13 anchors in my right shoulder and a 25% chance of playing football again. That didn't work out too well for me. I've talked to the Saints about this many times. They definitely know my desire to have a long-term deal, and hopefully they want me to have that as well. We will continue discussions and hopefully get a long-term deal done.

"

The veteran Brees is a consummate hard worker, and history tells us that the Saints don't need to worry about him getting out of shape. 

But he seems set on not returning to the team until a long-term deal is worked out. Adam Schefter appeared on SportsCenter on May 14th and stated that Brees and the Saints haven't made any progress (h/t Rotoworld).

With the bounty scandal still fresh in everyone's minds, a Brees holdout would be another crushing blow to the organization. 

Matt Forte 

Brad Biggs, respected Bears beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, stated in a recent blog post that there is no indication Forte will show up soon and he could miss minicamp, which doesn't seem like a huge deal. Biggs went on to say that he thinks there's no chance Forte will miss regular-season games.

After July 16th, Forte will have to play under the franchise tag worth $7.7 million in 2012.

While Biggs makes a valid point about Forte, the Bears running back has been upset with his contract for two seasons now, and it's a shame that they still aren't paying their franchise runner. 

Cliff Avril 

Avril is in a similar situation to that of Forte. Both were hit with the franchise tag this offseason, but are looking for a multi-year deal. 

According to the Detroit Free Press, the two sides remain at an impasse in contract discussions. 

Just like Avril, he'll have to play under the tag in 2012 if a deal isn't struck by July 16th. 

After the Miami Dolphins extending 30-year-old defensive end Cameron Wake for four years and $49 million, Avril is wondering why the Lions aren't treating him the same way. 

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