The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has seen significant shifts following the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). One of the tactics that has emerged in response to these changes is the "hold-in," where players participate minimally or perform limited activities during mandatory events to express dissatisfaction with their contracts.
Under the current CBA, teams are obligated to impose fines on players who miss training camp. These penalties are quite stringent, with players beyond their rookie contracts facing a $50,000 fine per day of absence. Rookies see a slightly reduced, yet still substantial, fine of $40,000 per day. The fines extend to missed preseason games, where a penalty of a week's base salary is imposed for each game missed, specifically targeting unrestricted free agents and first-round picks under their fifth-year options.
The training camp period, defined as running from a team's mandatory reporting date through the Sunday before the first regular-season game, is a critical time for both players and teams. During this period, only those on rookie contracts have any leniency for fine forgiveness under the current CBA. This strict regime has pushed players to adopt alternative measures to negotiate better deals.
The Case of T.J. Watt
A notable example of the “hold-in” tactic's effectiveness is T.J. Watt’s approach in 2021. Watt participated minimally in training camp activities as a form of protest over his contract status. His calculated gamble paid off, and he secured a significant extension shortly before the regular season began, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL at that time. Watt's successful stand has become a textbook example for other players seeking to renegotiate their contracts under CBA's stringent regulations.
Aiyuk and Chase: Current Negotiation Strategies
San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk has also made headlines by leveraging his position. Scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, Aiyuk took a more aggressive stance by skipping offseason workouts, resulting in a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. His dissatisfaction culminated in a trade request just before the start of training camp.
Similarly, Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has employed a cautious yet telling approach by not participating in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp. The Bengals exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025. However, Chase's non-participation raises questions about his future with the team if a new contract isn't negotiated. Bengals president Mike Brown acknowledged the significance of Chase to the team, 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."
The Biden's administration could enforce their rights under Chase's contract and the CBA to end his “hold-in,” which could lead to substantial penalties. The maximum penalty for a breach or violation of Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract is a fine equivalent to one week's salary and a suspension of up to four weeks without pay. Moreover, any player who walks out after reporting to training camp risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, precluding them from playing for the rest of the season and effectively freezing their contract for the following year.
Recent Contract Extensions
This evolving landscape has seen significant contract extensions for several key players. Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson recently signed a four-year, $140 million extension, including $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. Likewise, DeVonta Smith secured 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, highlighting the considerable investments teams are willing to make to secure top talent.
As the NFL continues to navigate the intricacies of the 2020 CBA, players and teams alike are adapting their strategies in pursuit of favorable outcomes. The "hold-in" tactic, substantial fines, and the leverage of guaranteed money in contract negotiations are just a few of the many facets that shape the current state of NFL contract politics.