The intricacies of NFL contract negotiations have become increasingly complex under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). A key development in this evolving landscape is the emergence of the "hold-in" tactic, a maneuver whereby players report to camp but refrain from participating in certain team activities to express dissatisfaction with their contracts. This strategy allows players to avoid steep fines while still making their displeasure known.
The Landscape of Fines
Under the current CBA, players are subject to significant financial penalties for missing training camp. Those beyond their rookie contracts face a $50,000 daily fine, while rookies incur a $40,000 daily penalty. Additionally, missing preseason games comes with a week's base salary penalty for each game missed, a stipulation that particularly impacts unrestricted free agents and first-round picks under fifth-year options.
The training camp period extends from a team's mandatory reporting date up to the Sunday before the first game of the regular season. However, there is a slight reprieve for those on rookie contracts, who are eligible for fine forgiveness under certain circumstances.
Examples of the Hold-In Tactic
One notable example of the "hold-in" tactic's effectiveness is T.J. Watt. In 2021, Watt used this approach and was rewarded just before the regular season opener, becoming the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback. More recently, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk utilized a similar tactic. Scheduled to earn $14.124 million guaranteed in 2024 through a fifth-year option, Aiyuk skipped offseason workouts and accrued a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory minicamp in June. Just before training camp, he requested a trade, signaling his dissatisfaction.
Another rising star, Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals, refrained from participating in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp. The Bengals have exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025, yet ongoing uncertainties about his contract status loom large. Bengals president Mike Brown addressed the situation, stating, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it."
Team Reactions and Player Penalties
The Bengals could compel compliance from Chase under the terms of his contract and the CBA. The maximum penalty for a breach or violation of Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract includes a fine equivalent to a week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay. Additionally, a player who departs after reporting to training camp risks being listed on the reserve/left squad list, barring them from playing for the remainder of the season and pausing their contract into the following year.
Bengals president Mike Brown seems to hold a pragmatic view regarding contract disputes during the season. "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," he remarked, hinting at a possible resolution post-season.
New Contracts and Extensions
The landscape of player contracts in the NFL has seen some significant updates recently. Justin Jefferson secured a substantial four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, complete with $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. This contract underscores his indispensable value to the Vikings' franchise.
Similarly, DeVonta Smith signed a three-year, $75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Jaylen Waddle received a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins. These deals reflect a broader trend of teams investing heavily in their elite receivers.
As the landscape of NFL contracts continues to evolve, the dynamics between players and teams grow increasingly intricate. The emergence of tactics like the "hold-in" highlights the newfound leverage players are wielding to secure their futures, even as they navigate the rigorous structures of NFL agreements and penalties.