The NFL’s landscape for player contracts and negotiations has undergone significant evolution, especially under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). New strategies and tougher penalties have emerged, reshaping how players and teams navigate the turbulent waters of contract dissatisfaction.
The Rise of the "Hold-In" Tactic
One notable development in this milieu is the advent of the "hold-in" tactic. Unlike a holdout, where players skip training camp entirely, a hold-in involves players attending camp but refusing to participate in certain activities, signaling their discontent over contract issues without incurring the fines associated with outright absence.
These rigorous fines, which teams are mandated to impose under the current CBA, are steep—veteran players face a $50,000 daily fine for missing training camp, while rookies are fined $40,000 per day. Additionally, players can face penalties amounting to a week's base salary for each preseason game missed, largely targeting unrestricted free agents and first-round picks under their fifth-year options. Typically, the training camp period extends from a team’s mandatory reporting date through the Sunday preceding the first regular-season game.
Exceptions and Consequences
Notably, rookies hold a slight reprieve, as they are the only group with potential for fine forgiveness under the current CBA. Still, the consequences of “walking out” after reporting to camp can be severe—players risk being placed on the reserve/left squad list, effectively benching them for the rest of the season and freezing their contracts for the following year.
High-Profile Hold-Ins and Contract Resolutions
T.J. Watt's strategy is a prime example of the hold-in's effectiveness; in 2021, he used this approach and subsequently became the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback just before the season kicked off. The situation set a precedent and demonstrated the bargaining power players could wield under the new rules.
Currently, Brandon Aiyuk and Ja'Marr Chase are embroiled in similar situations. Aiyuk, who skipped offseason workouts and garnered a $101,716 fine for missing June’s mandatory minicamp, even requested a trade before training camp began. His future with the team, where he’s set to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, hangs in the balance.
Ja'Marr Chase finds himself in a parallel predicament. Reports indicate that he did not engage in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's minicamp. The Bengals have exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for him in 2025, but Chase might withhold playing without a new contract. Bengals president Mike Brown acknowledged the stakes, stating, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it." Although 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."
Potential Enforcement and Penalties
For Chase and others like him, the team could enforce their contractual rights and the stipulations of the CBA to conclude a hold-in. The maximum penalty for a violation of Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract is severe, comprising a fine of one week’s salary coupled with a four-week suspension without pay.
Contract Extensions and Market Trends
Beyond fines and hold-ins, significant contract extensions continue to shape the market. Recently, significant deals have been signed that reshape team dynamics and player expectations. Justin Jefferson inked a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, an agreement featuring $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. Such significant financial commitments underscore the shifting priorities and valuation within the league.
Meanwhile, DeVonta Smith landed 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 hefty sums reflect not just team confidence in their emerging stars but also a market tailwind driving up wide receiver valuations.
Indeed, these changes and maneuvers herald a new era in NFL negotiations, driven by evolving CBA stipulations and innovative player strategies designed to maximize leverage and financial security. As teams and players continue to navigate this complex landscape, the ramifications will inevitably extend into locker rooms, front offices, and onto the field.