Which NFL Players are holding out and why?
- Aug 16, 2018
- 3 min read
Aaron Donald – DL – Los Angeles Rams
Donald started 14 games in 2017 for 32 tackles, 9 assists, 11 sacks and 5 forced fumbles.
Donald was named the NFLs 2017 Defensive Player of the Year and has been consistently brilliant since entering the league. Sadly, there seems to be some difference of opinion as to his worth to the Rams organisation, with the Rams Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Demoff categorising it as a “fundamental disagreement on value”.
The hold off seems to be on Donald’s side, as the Rams are reportedly happy making Donald the highest paid defensive player in the league. Currently, that title sits with the Broncos, Von Miller who earns $19 million per year, with $70 million in guarantees. It has been reported that Donald would be looking for around $23 million per year, with around $85 million in overall guarantees.
Is the best defensive player in the league, worth that much?
Khalil Mack – DE – Oakland Raiders
Mack started 16 games in 2017 for 61 tackles, 17 assists, 10.5 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
Mack’s situation is tricky. The Raiders don’t have much to cling to as a team with ageing starts and a new Head Coach who hasn’t coached a game of football in ten years. But, it would seem the Raiders are not showing grave concern surrounding their best players hold out, as Ian Rapport recently reported that Mack and the Raiders have had no contract talks since February.
By keeping an eye on Donald’s situation, we will see Mack’s play out to, as it would be ill-advised on Mack’s part to agree to anything until a baseline is established with Donald’s signature in LA. This will be interesting to see play out, but it’s unlikely the Raiders and Gruden will want to deal with their best player playing under his 5th year option.
Earl Thomas – S – Seattle Seahawks
Thomas played 14 games in 2017 with a total 56 tackles, 32 assists, 2 interceptions and 1 touchdown.
Thomas has stayed true to his word and not attended any team activities, and wont do until his contract situation is resolved. However, some will say that using this tactic with the Seahawks might not be the best idea. In 2015, Kam Chancellor tried this and held out for 54 days before returning without any contract alterations.
Like Mack, Thomas and the Seahawks haven’t had any meaningful discussions since Thomas met with GM John Schnider in March at the NFL Combine.
The difference I think between Mack, Donald and Thomas is it sounds like Thomas might want to be traded away from the Seahawks.
Eric Berry reigns at the top of the Safety market with a 6-year, $78 million contract with $40 million in guarantees. And there’s no doubt that Thomas wants to knock Berry of that top spot.
Le’Veon Bell – RB – Pittsburgh Steelers
Bell played 15 games in 2017 rushing for 1,291 yards for 9 touchdowns, he had 85 receptions for 655 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Bell has reportedly rejected an offer from the Steelers for around $14-15 million a year with $10 million sigining bonus. Because of a rule set out in the CBA, the Steelers can’t offer Bell a multi-year contract until the end of the 2018 season, which officially ends on December 30th.
Bell will no doubt play under the franchise tag, making $14.5 million this year.
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