In the evolving landscape of NFL contract negotiations, the introduction of the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has impacted the strategies that both players and teams employ. Among these strategies, the "hold-in" tactic has become a popular maneuver for players expressing dissatisfaction with their current contracts. Rather than holding out by missing training camp entirely, which now incurs mandatory fines, players report to camp but refrain from participating in certain activities.
Fines and Penalties Under the Current CBA
The current CBA stipulates that players beyond their rookie contracts face a steep $50,000 fine per day for missing training camp. Rookies incur a $40,000 fine per day for the same absence. Additionally, players missing preseason games are penalized with a week's base salary for each game missed. These fines apply particularly to unrestricted free agents and first-round picks playing under their fifth-year options.
Moreover, the training camp period spans from a team's mandatory reporting date through the Sunday before the first regular-season game. Within this period, only players on rookie contracts have some potential for fine forgiveness, making the financial repercussions severe for more tenured athletes.
Strategies and Consequences: The "Hold-In" Tactic
The "hold-in" has taken center stage as athletes find ways to navigate dissatisfaction without incurring these hefty fines. Star defender T.J. Watt notably utilized this approach in 2021 and was rewarded by becoming the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback just before the regular season commenced. Such successes indicate the potential effectiveness of the tactic when employed strategically.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyukâs experience exemplifies this trend. He skipped offseason workouts and faced a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. Aiyuk, scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, even requested a trade shortly before training camp began. These actions put pressure on team management while avoiding the more severe penalties of a "hold-out."
Similarly, Ja'Marr Chase's case has become a talking point in Cincinnati. Despite participating in walkthroughs, Chase avoided team drills during June's mandatory minicamp. The Bengals have exercised a $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025, which is fully guaranteed. Reports suggest Chase may not play without a new contract, signaling potential for a hold-in scenario.
Bengals president Mike Brown acknowledged the complexity of Chase's situation, stating, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it." He 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 Team Reactions
Teams are also well aware of their rights and the potential actions they can take under the CBA to mitigate player hold-ins. For any breach or violation of Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract, the maximum penalty is a fine of one week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay. Furthermore, if a player walks out after reporting to training camp, he risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, which would prevent him from playing for the rest of the season and freeze his contract for the following year.
Recent High-Profile Extensions
Contrastingly, some players have successfully navigated contract negotiations for substantial financial gains. Star receiver Justin Jefferson secured a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, inclusive of $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. Philadelphia Eagles' DeVonta Smith also inked a three-year, $75 million deal, while Jaylen Waddle received a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins. These deals exemplify the lucrative outcomes possible for elite talent when negotiations align.
The post-2020 CBA era underscores a climate of strategic maneuvering and high-stakes negotiations between players and teams. As players continue to leverage tactics like the "hold-in" to secure preferable contract terms, the dynamic interplay between on-field performance and financial negotiations remains a critical area of focus in professional football.