The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has seen notable evolution under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), introducing a mix of regulations and tactics that have shifted the dynamics between players and teams. Among the newly prominent tactics is the "hold-in," a maneuver players use to express contract dissatisfaction without risking hefty fines.
Understanding the Hold-In Tactic
Under the current CBA, players who miss training camp face substantial fines. Those beyond their rookie contracts incur fines of $50,000 per day, while rookies face $40,000 per day. Missing preseason games is even costlier, with penalties amounting to a week's base salary for each game missed. The training camp period spans from a team's mandatory reporting date through the Sunday before the first regular-season game.
While these fines are mandatory, the CBA allows fine forgiveness only for those on rookie contracts. This regulatory shift has led to the rise of the "hold-in" tactic, where players report to training camp but refrain from participating fully, thereby avoiding fines while expressing contract dissatisfaction. This method gained attention when T.J. Watt employed it in 2021, eventually becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL just before the regular-season opener.
Case Studies: Aiyuk and Chase
Brandon Aiyuk and Ja'Marr Chase have both made headlines with their contract situations. Aiyuk, scheduled to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, skipped offseason workouts and faced a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. He later requested a trade shortly before the start of training camp, highlighting his dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, Ja'Marr Chase did not participate beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp. The Cincinnati Bengals have exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025. However, there are indications that Chase might not play without securing a new contract. Bengals president Mike Brown addressed the situation, saying, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it."
Brown also hinted at the timing of potential contract talks: "The offseason is a better time for that and we're going to try to keep focused on the football part. I'm not going to rule anything out, but I will tell you that the die has probably been cast."
Enforcing Contractual Rights and Penalties
The current CBA gives teams specific rights to address hold-ins and holdouts. For instance, if a player walks out after reporting to training camp, he risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, preventing him from playing for the rest of the season and freezing his contract for the following year. Additionally, the maximum penalty for a breach or violation of Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract is a fine of one week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay. These measures give teams considerable leverage in contract disputes.
Recent Major Signings
While some players face contract disputes, others have secured lucrative deals. Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, including $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. DeVonta Smith inked a three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jaylen Waddle received a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins.
These extensions reflect both the high stakes and the significant financial commitments teams are willing to make for top talent. As the landscape of NFL contract negotiations continues to evolve, players and teams navigate a complex array of strategies and regulations to reach mutually beneficial agreements. The "hold-in" tactic, fines, and contractual rights all play crucial roles in this intricate dance, shaping the present and future of the league.