The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has significantly evolved under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and a new tactic known as the "hold-in" has emerged as a significant maneuver for players dissatisfied with their contracts.
Under the current CBA, teams must impose fines on players who miss training camp. Players beyond their rookie contracts incur a fine of $50,000 per day, while rookies face a $40,000 daily fine. Skipping preseason games adds further penalties, particularly targeting unrestricted free agents and first-round picks playing under their fifth-year options. These players face a penalty of a week's base salary for each missed game. Only those on rookie contracts may have their fines forgiven under the current CBA.
The "Hold-In" Tactic
The "hold-in" tactic allows players to express their contract dissatisfaction by participating in the team activities without fully committing, thereby avoiding fines while still making their stance clear. A prime example of its success was seen in 2021 with T.J. Watt. Watt utilized the hold-in strategy and secured his position as the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback just before the regular season commenced.
Brandon Aiyuk, another player using this tactic, has created waves by skipping offseason workouts and missing the mandatory June minicamp, resulting in a $101,716 fine. Aiyuk, scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, even requested a trade shortly before the training camp started.
Ja'Marr Chase's Contract Standoff
Ja'Marr Chase's strategic approach has also drawn attention. The Cincinnati Bengals exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025, but he has made it clear he might not play without a new contract. During June's mandatory minicamp, Chase notably refrained from team drills beyond walkthroughs. Bengals president Mike Brown remarked on the situation, stating, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it."
If the standoff persists, the Bengals could choose to enforce their rights under Chase's contract and the CBA to end his hold-in. Players risk significant penalties for such actions, including a week's salary fine and up to a four-week suspension without pay. In more severe scenarios, if a player departs after reporting to training camp, they could be placed on the reserve/left squad list, preventing them from playing for the rest of the season and freezing their contract for the following year.
Significant Extensions and Contracts
The league has seen a flurry of substantial contract extensions recently. Justin Jefferson secured a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, which includes $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. DeVonta Smith penned a three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Jaylen Waddle received a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins.
These high-value extensions underscore the evolving dynamics of player-team negotiations and the ongoing shifts in strategies players employ to secure their financial futures while navigating the stipulations of the current CBA. As the 2020 CBA continues to shape the landscape of contract negotiations, the "hold-in" tactic could become an increasingly common tool for players seeking leverage and contract satisfaction.
Brown's comments further hint at ongoing deliberations, "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."
As the NFL prepares for another season, all eyes will be on how players and teams navigate these intricate negotiations under the terms of the latest CBA, with potential ramifications for future agreements and player strategies in ensuring their place on the field and their compensation off it.