The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has evolved significantly under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). One development that has caught considerable attention is the "hold-in" tactic, where players attend training camp but refuse to participate in crucial activities as a form of contract dissatisfaction. This maneuver has been gaining traction among high-profile players seeking contract renegotiations or extensions.
The current CBA mandates that teams impose hefty fines on players who miss training camp. Veterans beyond their rookie contracts face fines of $50,000 per day, while rookies are fined $40,000 per day for their absence. The penalties extend beyond just missing camp; players who skip preseason games face the loss of a week's base salary for each game missed. Specific categories, such as unrestricted free agents and first-round picks under their fifth-year options, see these financial deterrents more acutely.
A notable instance of the "hold-in" tactic occurred in 2021 with T.J. Watt. Watt leveraged his hold-in to negotiate his contract, ultimately signing a deal that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback shortly before the regular season kicked off. This case has seemingly set a precedent for others contemplating similar moves. For instance, Brandon Aiyuk, who is set to earn a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on his fifth-year option, skipped offseason workouts and faced a fine of $101,716 for missing the mandatory June minicamp.
Aiyuk requested a trade shortly before the start of this year's training camp, signaling his dissatisfaction and desire for a resolution. His situation puts the spotlight on the harsh fines and potential penalties that players juggle with as they negotiate their worth on the field versus their contractual obligations.
Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals is another prominent player making waves with a strategic approach to his contract. The Bengals exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025, but Chase has indicated that he might not play without a new contract. During June's mandatory minicamp, Chase refrained from participating in team drills beyond walkthroughs.
Bengals president Mike Brown expressed the organization's stance, saying, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it." Brown added, "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." This reveals the delicate balance teams must maintain between player satisfaction and team cohesion, especially during critical preparation periods like training camps.
The CBA provides teams with strong enforcement tools against hold-ins. The maximum penalty for breaching Paragraph 2 of the NFL Player Contract is a fine equivalent to a week's salary and a suspension without pay for up to four weeks. Players risk significant financial and career impacts if they walk out after reporting to training camp, as they could be placed on the reserve/left squad list. This placement would prevent them from playing for the rest of the season and potentially freeze their contract for the following year.
Recent high-value contracts also illustrate the financial stakes involved. For example, Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, featuring $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. Similarly, DeVonta Smith inked a three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jaylen Waddle secured a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins.
These lucrative deals demonstrate the level of financial commitment teams are willing to invest in their star players, making the dynamics of contract negotiations more complex and high-stakes. As players continue to employ hold-ins and other tactics to secure their financial futures, the tension between player empowerment and team authority under the CBA will undoubtedly remain a focal point throughout the NFL calendar.