The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has shifted dramatically under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), leading to an array of tactics and strategies among players dissatisfied with their contracts. The so-called "hold-in" tactic has become a popular maneuver, allowing players to express dissatisfaction without facing the severe penalties associated with missing training camp.
The Hold-In Tactic
Under the current CBA, teams are mandated to impose fines on players who miss training camp. For players beyond their rookie contracts, the fine stands at $50,000 per day, while rookies face a slightly lesser fine of $40,000 per day. Missing preseason games incurs even stiffer penalties, with players forfeiting a week's base salary for each missed game, further tightening the financial noose on players contemplating a holdout.
The rise of the hold-in, where players report to training camp but refrain from participating in team activities, seeks to circumvent these stringent penalties. Only those on rookie contracts have any potential for fine forgiveness, making the tactic particularly potent for veteran players.
Case Studies in Contract Maneuvering
Notable players have already leveraged the hold-in to significant effect. T.J. Watt's use of the tactic in 2021 led to his status as the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback, obtained shortly before the regular-season opener. Brandon Aiyuk, positioned to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million on a fifth-year option in 2024, skipped offseason workouts and incurred a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. His contract discontent reportedly led him to request a trade prior to the start of training camp.
Meanwhile, Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals has been a focal point of ongoing contract negotiations. While Chase refrained from participating in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp, the Bengals have exercised their fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for him in 2025. His potential unwillingness to play without a new contract places the Bengals in a challenging position. As Bengals president Mike Brown highlighted, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it."
Brown further remarked on the complexity of off-season negotiations: "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."
Enforcement and Penalties
The CBA and NFL Player Contract provisions allow teams to enforce their rights vigorously. Should a player like Chase exceed certain thresholds of non-participation, the Bengals retain the ability to end his hold-in, potentially imposing a maximum penalty encompassing a fine of one week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay.
The risk of more severe penalties looms large for players who might consider leaving training camp altogether. Any player walking out after initially reporting risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, a designation that could prevent him from playing for the entire season and freeze his contract for the following year.
Recent High-Profile Contracts
Recent contract extensions for other prominent players paint a broader picture of the evolving contractual landscape. Justin Jefferson secured a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, featuring $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. DeVonta Smith, on the other hand, inked a three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jaylen Waddle received a similarly significant three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins.
The escalation in contract values reflects the increasing leverage and negotiating power players wield under the current CBA. With high stakes and considerable financial implications, the hold-in tactic and other negotiation strategies are likely to remain key fixtures in the ongoing battle for player compensation and contract satisfaction.