The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has seen notable shifts under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). In recent seasons, players have employed the "hold-in" strategy to express their dissatisfaction with their contracts. This tactic, notably used by T.J. Watt in 2021 before he became the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback, involves players attending training camps but not fully participating in team activities.
Under the current CBA, teams are mandated to fine players who miss training camp. Veterans face hefty penalties of $50,000 per day, while rookies are fined $40,000 per day. Additionally, missing preseason games results in a penalty equivalent to a week's base salary for each game missed. These fines target unrestricted free agents and first-round picks playing under their fifth-year options. The training camp period is defined from a team’s mandatory reporting date through the Sunday before the first regular-season game.
Despite the stringent penalties, only players on rookie contracts may have their fines forgiven. Veterans, however, do not have this advantage, making contract disputes particularly costly for them. This has led to significant financial risks for those willing to take a stand.
The Hold-In Phenomenon
Brandon Aiyuk and Ja'Marr Chase have recently made headlines with their contract situations. Aiyuk, scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 under his fifth-year option, skipped offseason workouts and faced a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. His dissatisfaction led him to request a trade shortly before training camp began. Meanwhile, Chase, whose fifth-year option in 2025 is fully guaranteed at $21.816 million, did not participate in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp. His decision raised speculation that he might not play without a new contract.
Bengals president Mike Brown acknowledged Chase’s importance to the team, emphasizing, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it." However, Brown also pointed out the complexity of the situation, stating, "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 Potential Consequences
The Bengals could enforce their rights under Chase's contract and the CBA to put an end to his hold-in. The maximum recourse for a violation of Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract is a fine equating to one week's salary and a suspension of up to four weeks without pay. A player who walks out after reporting to training camp risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, which would prevent him from playing for the remainder of the season and freeze his contract for the following year.
Big Contracts and Player Leverage
In this evolving landscape, player leverage and high-stakes negotiations are increasingly common. Notable contracts have reshaped financial standards across the league. Justin Jefferson, for example, signed a monumental four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, inclusive of $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. Similarly, DeVonta Smith brokered a three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Jaylen Waddle secured a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins.
These colossal contracts highlight the escalating financial stakes in the NFL and underscore the strategic maneuvers players now employ to secure their futures. As teams and players navigate the intricacies of the CBA, the dynamics of power and negotiation continue to evolve, setting precedents for future engagements.
The current landscape of NFL contract negotiations, marked by the hold-in tactic and hefty penalties under the CBA, demonstrates the ongoing struggle between player autonomy and the financial imperatives of professional football. As players push for better terms and teams enforce their contractual rights, the balance of power in the NFL remains a dynamic and contentious arena.