Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, June 19, 2026

3 beefs in NFL history that are all about REVENGE (and are better for it)

The best kind of beef.

Welcome to Revenge Week at SB Nation NFL, where we are celebrating the dish that’s best served cold. You can keep up with all our latest revenge content here.

Beef takes many forms in the sports world. It can happen between teammates, or between a player and their coach. It can happen between players who barely face off but just don’t like one another. And while those conflicts can be interesting, some of the most satisfying beefs require the opportunity for revenge.

Take Cams Jordan and Newton. The former had to watch the latter win the NFC South for three straight years and make a run to the Super Bowl. But he got the chance for revenge, and some thoughtful gift-giving, too.

Then there’s old buddies Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll. You think Pete didn’t remember his USC squad losing — as SIX-TOUCHDOWN FAVORITES — to Harbaugh’s Stanford Cardinal when he got the win in the 2013 NFC Championship?

And then there’s one of my personal favorites. Mike Shanahan got 20 games as head coach of the Raiders before Al Davis put an end to their power struggle. So what did Shanahan do? Went back to the Broncos, got the head coaching gig, and then spent the better part of 14 seasons getting revenge his old boss.

Got more revenge-related beefs you want to see us make a video about? Leave them in the comments or go tweet @wbuik. (While you’re there, ask him what he was doing the last time the Cowboys played in the Super Bowl.)

More in NFL

From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield
NFL
Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper hit with new domestic violence charges after second arrestBroncos’ Jonathon Cooper hit with new domestic violence charges after second arrest
NFL

The Broncos pass rusher has been arrested again.

By James Dator