The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has seen significant evolution under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). In particular, the advent of the "hold-in" tactic reflects the growing assertiveness of players aiming to express dissatisfaction with their contractual terms without incurring the hefty fines associated with missing training camp.
The current CBA stipulates that teams must impose strict fines on players who miss training camp. Veterans face a steep fine of $50,000 per day, while rookies are penalized $40,000 per day. Missing preseason games also comes with a significant penalty: one week's base salary per game, targeting unrestricted free agents and first-round picks under their fifth-year options. The training camp period extends from a team’s mandatory reporting date until the Sunday before the season's first regular game.
While the penalties are designed to discourage absences, only players on rookie contracts have the potential for fine forgiveness under this agreement. For the rest, the threat of financial loss looms large. A player who walks out after reporting to training camp can be placed on the reserve/left squad list, preventing him from playing for the rest of the season and freezing his contract for the following year. T.J. Watt’s use of the hold-in strategy in 2021 ultimately paid off, as he became the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback just before the regular-season began, proving the tactic's potential effectiveness.
High-Stakes Negotiations and Player Movements
Several high-profile players have been at the center of recent contract disputes. San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk, for example, made headlines when he skipped offseason workouts and incurred a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. Leading up to training camp, Aiyuk requested a trade, highlighting his dissatisfaction despite being scheduled to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option.
Similarly, Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been notably absent from team drills beyond walkthroughs during mandatory minicamp. The Bengals exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025, but speculation remains that he might not play without a new contract. Addressing Chase's status, Bengals president Mike Brown remarked, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it." Despite this acknowledgment, Brown also underscored the team's reluctance to address contract issues mid-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."
Financial Rewards and New Contracts
The stakes for players in these negotiations are towering. Just recently, Justin Jefferson secured a lucrative four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, including $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. This deal underscores the high-value contracts that players can achieve, reflecting their critical role in their respective teams’ successes.
Other notable extensions this year include DeVonta Smith's three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and Jaylen Waddle's three-year, $84.75 million extension with the Miami Dolphins. Such contracts speak to the premium placed on top-tier talent, emphasizing the high stakes and potential rewards involved in these negotiations.
The collective bargaining agreement has undoubtedly shifted the dynamics of player-team negotiations. While the penalties for missing time are severe, the potential rewards for steadfast negotiation and strategic maneuvering are evident. As players continue to navigate this complex landscape, the "hold-in" tactic may become a more common fixture in contract negotiations, paving the way for more high-stakes standoffs in the future.