Another NFL Holdout? I’m About to Lose It
Okay, folks, buckle up, because I’m about to blow a gasket. Tre Harris, some rookie wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers—you know, the team perpetually stuck in the NFL’s purgatory—is pulling a goddamn holdout. A HOLD OUT! Can you believe this crap? The dude hasn’t even sniffed an NFL field yet, and he’s already got his hand out like some Wall Street vulture. According to Ian Rapoport, the guy missed the deadline for rookies to report to camp because of a contract dispute. A CONTRACT DISPUTE! What dispute? Did they offer him a lifetime supply of avocado toast instead of actual money? I mean, seriously.
This isn’t like some grizzled veteran trying to squeeze every last nickel out of his decaying carcass. This is a ROOKIE. A No. 55 overall pick, which, let’s be honest, isn’t exactly breaking the bank. It’s not like he’s demanding Tom Brady money here. More like moderately successful dentist money. But still! Already? Are you kidding me?
The Ripple Effect of Rookie Greed
And get this: Harris isn’t alone. Oh no, this is becoming a TREND. A disturbing, rage-inducing trend. Apparently, other teams—the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers—have rookies set to report soon. Are we about to see a full-blown rookie revolt? A bunch of entitled kids thinking they’re worth more than they are? I swear to God, if I see one more of these fresh-faced millionaires whining about money, I’m going to drive my car into a lake.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Hey Drew, isn’t it their right to negotiate for what they’re worth?” Yeah, yeah, I get it. But there’s a time and a place, people. And before you’ve even proven you can catch a football without tripping over your own feet is NOT the time. It’s like demanding a Michelin star before you’ve even boiled water, for crying out loud.
Who’s Already Cashing In? (Spoiler: It’s Not Who You Think)
So far, only two second-round picks have signed: Houston Texans’ Jayden Higgins and Cleveland Browns’ Carson Schweisinger. Good for them. They saw the writing on the wall. They realized that maybe, just maybe, they should earn their keep before acting like they’re royalty. Higgins, a safety for the Texans, racked up some decent stats in the preseason. In 3 preseason games he had 6 tackles and 4 assists. During his rookie regular season in 2024, he played in 17 games and started in 13. Higgins recorded 35 tackles, 16 assists, and 5 interceptions. Schweisinger, well, he signed too! Good job, guys!
What Does This Mean for the Chargers? (Besides More Misery)
Look, the Chargers are already a dumpster fire of disappointment. They’ve got a quarterback, Justin Herbert, who’s destined to waste his career in a perpetual cycle of mediocrity. Their fans are so numb to heartbreak that they probably use it as a condiment on their tacos. And now, this? This rookie holdout is just the cherry on top of the Chargers’ sundae of suck. It means more headaches, more distractions, and more reasons for me to question my life choices as a football fan.
And what about poor Jim Harbaugh? The Chargers Coach probably thought he was escaping college ball to get away from petty contract squabbles. Jokes on him, I guess?
The Broader Implications: Are We Entering a New Era of NFL Entitlement?
But this isn’t just about the Chargers. This is about the NFL as a whole. Are we entering a new era of player entitlement? An era where rookies think they’re bigger than the game before they’ve even played a down? If so, I’m officially done. I’m selling my jerseys, burning my tickets, and moving to Canada to become a curling fan. (Okay, maybe not the curling part. But I’m still really pissed.)
It used to be that rookies were hungry, eager to prove themselves. Now they’re just hungry for money. What changed? Is it social media? Agent influence? I’m not sure, but whatever it is, it’s poisoning the game. And as fans, we’re the ones who suffer. We’re the ones who have to watch these overpaid prima donnas act like they’re doing us a favor by showing up to work.
A Ray of Hope? Maybe… Probably Not
Look, maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe Tre Harris will come to his senses, sign a reasonable contract, and become the next Jerry Rice. (Okay, that’s highly unlikely. More like the next Justin Blackmon.) But until then, I’m going to remain in a state of perpetual outrage. Because that’s what being a football fan is all about: blind hope mixed with crippling disappointment. And right now, the disappointment is winning.
Fake Mailbag Time! (Because Why Not?)
“Hey Drew, do you think the Chargers will ever win a Super Bowl?”
No. Absolutely not. They’re cursed. They’re like the sports equivalent of the Donner Party. Just accept it and move on.
“Hey Drew, what should I do with my life?”
Avoid becoming a Chargers fan. Beyond that, I got nothing.
Final Thoughts: I Need a Drink
So, there you have it. Another NFL offseason, another reason to question my sanity. Tre Harris, you’re officially on my shit list. And to the rest of the rookies considering a holdout: Don’t. Just don’t. You’ll only make me angrier. And you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go scream into a pillow. And maybe drink a bottle of whiskey. Or two. Don’t judge me.