This is way different than the Ellis deal. That was pre-CBA when contract amounts could be negotiated. Rookie pay is now slotted. So, Bosa's not holding out for more money. He's fighting over HOW the money is to be paid. His agent is fighting the contract on two contract terms. The first is over the $17 million signing bonus. The Chargers want a portion of it to be delayed until March 2017, while Bosa's agent wants it all paid upfront. What's the big deal you ask? Six months' interest on $8.5 million. That's what.

The second term being argued is the offset language (new under the CBA) which would give the Chargers financial relief if Bosa is released prior to his contract expiring and Bosa signing with a new team. To take affect this has to be agreed upon by both parties. If Bosa accepts the term it would affect his value on the open market. Most teams have apparently avoided this tactic or have not had much fight back.

So, what this comes down to is much like the Brees "holdout", when the NFLPA was challenging the second franchise designation, and the Graham "holdout", when the NFLPA was challenging the player position designation. The is not Bosa being some greedy hardass, it is the NFL hierarchy settling to a norm.