Hold out VS Hold out: Which NFL Star RB Caves First?
Hold out VS Hold out: Which NFL Star RB Caves First?
Lately, it seems every year there is a new superstar holding out for a new deal by refusing to play or practice. Last year it was Le’veon Bell and before that, it was Chargers 1st round pick Joey Bosa had a short yet memorable holdout in 2016. A lot of people say it is the only the players only was making sure they don’t get mistreated or undervalued. Whenever one of these superstar holdouts it always dominates the news, and everyone has an opinion on it.
This year there is two superstar running backs Melvin Gordon from the Los Angeles Chargers and Ezekiel Elliott from the Dallas Cowboys both holding out because they feel they deserve more money. Whether you believe they are right or not doesn’t change the fact that their respective teams are not as good without them so who will rejoin their team first?
While Melvin Gordon’s hold out began first the Chargers have made it very clear that Gordon will not get a contract extension this season and will play under his current contract or not play at all. While this isn’t a good sign that Melvin Gordon will play for the Chargers at all this season, they have left him open for trade discussions.
Ezekiel Elliott, on the other hand, has had at least one deal thrown at him that he has turned down which means he probably will have another soon enough. A lot of pressure is being put on Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to sign Elliot because the team seems to have a lot of ambition this season and has been talking about a Superbowl run but everyone knows they won’t make it without Zeke. The question a lot of people have asked is who will sign first and I think the answer is clear that Ezekiel Elliott will be on the field before Melvin Gordon.
Maybe the Chargers believe in backup Austin Ekeler enough they don’t want a big-time superstar holdout to dominate their season. The reason for the chargers digging in there heals is something we might not ever know but it really seems that unless Melvin Gordon gets traded, we probably won’t see him on the field for the 2019-2020 season. When we see Elliot return to the Cowboys, I’m not entirely sure but all signs point to sooner rather than later.
By: Ryan Johnson