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Bill Barnwell
It’s time to recognize NFL icons with a new accolade. Many of these athletes excel on the field, but today, we celebrate their efforts in holding NFL team owners accountable. Introducing the inaugural inductees of the Bag Hall of Fame (BHOF).
To clarify, this initiative is not about honoring players who simply cash in without merit. Most football players, past and present, have historically been underpaid for the risks they take in the sport. Instead, we’re here to commend those who skillfully maximized their value, leveraging negotiations to secure significant paydays. These players include those who expertly navigated holdouts, bet on their own potential, and even represented themselves in contract negotiations, thus pocketing agent fees for themselves.
For this inaugural class, chosen by yours truly, we’re welcoming eight players into what aims to be a reputable physical Hall of Fame. While several are still playing, they’ve already proven their worth far beyond any waiting period. Many have claimed Super Bowl victories, and several rank among potential future Hall of Famers. Here’s to our first class of inductees:
Meet the Bag Hall of Famers:
Kirk Cousins | Joe Flacco | Dak Prescott | Jalen Ramsey | Darrelle Revis | Deion Sanders | Matthew Stafford | Laremy Tunsil
Kirk Cousins – Calling Card: Making the front office so frustrated they refuse to use his name correctly.
If you asked an NFL fan about potential inductees, Cousins would likely top the list. As he approaches the record for being the highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL, Cousins has earned over $294 million over his career, with another $37.5 million guaranteed from the Falcons heading into the 2026 season. Though often underrated as a consistent passer, it’s true he hasn’t universally been the best quarterback.
From 2016-2024, no one raked in more money than Cousins, pulling in $291.3 million, which was $21 million more than the second-highest at the position. His path was not without challenges; drafted 100 picks after fellow Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III in 2012, early on, Cousins struggled to find his footing, yet he executed an impressive turnaround beginning in 2016, leading his team to a division title along the way.
Although his performance was stellar, Washington’s management remained cautious, using a franchise tag to renew their contract with him instead of offering a long-term deal that might have quelled any potential tensions.
Next up: Joe Flacco – Calling Card: Turning a single playoff run into multiple lucrative contracts.
No other player may have capitalized on pivotal moments as effectively as Flacco, who parlayed a single Super Bowl victory into two significant contracts with the Ravens. During an era of rampant competition, Flacco’s performance in the playoffs pushed him into the spotlight, allowing him to demand—and receive—a record-setting deal that further solidified his status as a top-tier quarterback.
Each inductee in this inaugural BHOF class exemplifies how shrewd negotiating can translate into financial reward while navigating the complexities of team dynamics and contracts so symbolic of the NFL landscape.