The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has evolved significantly under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), leading to new tactics and pressures for both players and management. A crucial development is the emergence of the "hold-in" tactic, where players report to training camp but do not fully participate as a form of protest over contract disputes.
Impact of Hold-Ins on NFL Training Camps
Under the current CBA, teams must impose fines on players who miss training camp. Veterans are fined $50,000 per day, while rookies incur a $40,000 daily penalty. In addition, missing preseason games costs players a week's base salary for each game missed. However, only those on rookie contracts have potential for fine forgiveness.
One notable example is T.J. Watt, who employed the "hold-in" tactic in 2021 and eventually became the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback just before the regular season commenced. This tactic allows players to avoid the financial penalties associated with a "hold-out" while still expressing their dissatisfaction.
Brandon Aiyuk's Contract Dispute
Brandon Aiyuk epitomizes the complexities surrounding these disputes. Scheduled to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 under a fifth-year option, Aiyuk's offseason activities highlighted his dissatisfaction. He skipped offseason workouts and incurred a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. Shortly before the start of training camp, Aiyuk requested a trade, which further complicated his standing with the team.
Ja'Marr Chase: A Potential Hold-In
Ja'Marr Chase's situation with the Cincinnati Bengals also illustrates the evolving player-team dynamics. The Bengals exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for him in 2025. During June's mandatory minicamp, Chase did not participate in team drills beyond walkthroughs, hinting at a possible hold-in.
Bengals president Mike Brown acknowledged Chase's importance to the team, stating, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it." This reflects the team's recognition of Chase's leverage. Despite this, Brown remained cautiously non-committal about immediate contract extensions, adding, "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."
If Chase chooses not to play without a new contract, the Bengals could enforce the current CBA provisions, which include severe penalties for players who breach their contracts. A maximum penalty could include a fine equivalent to one week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay. Additionally, players walking out after reporting to training camp may be placed on the reserve/left squad list, barring them from playing for the rest of the season and freezing their contracts for the following year.
Recent High-Profile Extensions
Meanwhile, other prominent wide receivers have successfully navigated the treacherous waters of contract negotiations. Justin Jefferson inked a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, featuring $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. Similarly, DeVonta Smith secured a three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jaylen Waddle received a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins.
These lucrative deals underscore the high stakes involved in modern NFL contract negotiations and the lengths to which players and teams will go to safeguard their interests. As the league continues to evolve, the tactics and strategies employed in these high-stakes negotiations will undoubtedly shape the future of player-team relationships.