16. Sean Gilbert, Carolina Panthers (1998):
Gilbert was a monstrous presence on defense in his early years with the Rams and Redskins. When he was named as an alternate for the Pro Bowl in the 1996 season, Washington made him their franchise player with a $3.4 million offer for one year. He didn’t accept it, however, choosing to sit out the 1997 season. The Redskins then chose to franchise tag him again, this time offering a lower $2.97 million salary for the season.
The NFL Player’s Association had an all-day arbitration with the league in 1998 to sort out Gilbert’s unique case. When the dust settled, Carolina offered the hulking tackle $46.5 million to sign with them. When Washington declined to match the massive offer, the Panthers sent two future first-round picks in 1999 and 2000 to Washington for the rights to Gilbert. He repaid them by notching a mere 15.5 sacks during five years with the franchise and was then released in 2003. Gilbert resurfaced with Oakland that season, producing a laughable 7 total tackles. He retired after that year.
