The 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has significantly reshaped the landscape of NFL contract negotiations and player tactics. One prominent strategy that has emerged is the “hold-in” tactic, a maneuver where players express dissatisfaction with their contracts by attending training camp but not participating in team activities. This strategy allows players to avoid the hefty penalties associated with missing training camp while still signaling their discontent. The use of this tactic has become increasingly common as players seek to secure more favorable contracts.
The current CBA stipulates strict fines for players who miss training camp. Veterans beyond their rookie contracts face a fine of $50,000 per day, while rookies are fined $40,000 per day for their absence. Moreover, additional penalties target players such as unrestricted free agents and first-round picks playing under their fifth-year options, with fines of a week’s base salary for each missed preseason game.
Despite attending training camp to circumvent these fines, some players still push the boundaries to secure new contracts. For instance, T.J. Watt employed the “hold-in” tactic in 2021 and, just before the regular season began, he successfully negotiated a deal to become the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback.
Notable “Hold-Ins” and Contract Disputes
In more recent developments, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s situation with the San Francisco 49ers has drawn attention. Scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, Aiyuk skipped offseason workouts and consequently faced a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. Shortly before training camp, Aiyuk even requested a trade, illustrating the growing tension between players and teams under the current CBA.
Meanwhile, Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals has also made headlines. The Bengals exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for him in 2025, yet Chase refrained from participating in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp. Indications suggest that Chase might not play without securing a new contract. Bengals President Mike Brown acknowledged the situation, stating, “He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it.” Despite the contractual stalemate, Brown emphasized focusing on the immediate football 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.”
Consequences of Violating the CBA
Under the NFL Player Contract and the CBA, teams wield significant power to enforce compliance. The maximum penalty for breaching Paragraph 2, a standard clause in player contracts, includes a fine equivalent to a week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay. Additionally, a player who reports to training camp but then walks out risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, thereby preventing him from playing for the rest of the season and freezing his contract for the following year. This stringent control underscores the risks players take when attempting to negotiate through hold-ins.
Recent High-Profile Contract Extensions
The NFL has seen a flurry of significant contract extensions recently. Justin Jefferson signed a lucrative 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, while Jaylen Waddle received a three-year, $84.75 million extension with the Miami Dolphins. These agreements highlight the financial rewards that can accompany successful negotiations, albeit contrasting with the strained scenarios involving hold-ins.
As the 2023 season approaches, the dynamics of player-team negotiations remain complex and pivotal. With the existing CBA framing the rules of engagement, the trend of hold-ins may persist as players strive to leverage their performances into substantial long-term security. The evolving landscape ensures that contract negotiations will continue to be a critical and contentious aspect of the NFL narrative.