In the evolving landscape of NFL contract negotiations, the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has significantly influenced player and team strategies. Among these strategies, the "hold-in" tactic has emerged as a prevalent maneuver for players to express dissatisfaction with their contracts without incurring the steep fines associated with missing training camp sessions.
The Costs of Missing Training Camp
Under the current CBA, teams are mandated to impose fines on players who miss training camp. For players beyond their rookie contracts, each day missed results in a $50,000 penalty, while rookies face a $40,000 fine per day. Additionally, missing preseason games can cost players a week's base salary for each game missed. These rules especially impact unrestricted free agents and first-round picks in their fifth-year options, making the financial stakes for holdouts particularly high.
Notable "Hold-In" Strategies
One of the most prominent examples of the "hold-in" tactic in recent years was T.J. Watt in 2021. Watt avoided penalties by attending camp but not participating fully, ultimately becoming the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback just before the regular season commenced. This strategy allows players to leverage their value while adhering to attendance requirements.
This tactic is not without its complexities, as shown in the cases of Brandon Aiyuk and Ja'Marr Chase. Aiyuk, set to earn a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, skipped offseason workouts and incurred a $101,716 fine by missing the mandatory June minicamp. Furthermore, Aiyuk requested a trade just before the start of training camp, highlighting the tensions that can arise between players and management.
Ja'Marr Chase also demonstrated a nuanced approach by not participating in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp. With the Cincinnati Bengals having exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025, there is speculation that he might not play without a new contract. Bengals president Mike Brown underscored 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."
Despite the leverage that "hold-ins" can provide, teams still hold significant power under the CBA. For instance, a player who walks out after reporting to training camp risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, potentially preventing them from playing for the remainder of the season and freezing their contract for the following year. Additionally, the maximum penalty for breaching the NFL Player Contract is a fine equivalent to one week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay.
High-Stakes Negotiations and Recent Signings
The stakes in these contract negotiations are high, and recent trends show substantial financial commitments from teams to maintain key players. Justin Jefferson’s recent four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings includes $110 million in overall guarantees, with $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. Similarly, DeVonta Smith signed 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.
The dynamics of NFL contract negotiations remain intricate, balancing lucrative deals with strategic player maneuvers. As the league and its players continue to navigate the stipulations of the 2020 CBA, the "hold-in" tactic will likely be a continued focal point in the ongoing dialogue between player compensation and team regulations.
In reflecting on the procedural timing for these discussions, Bengals president Mike Brown noted, "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." This sentiment encapsulates the prevailing challenge for NFL teams: managing player expectations while remaining compliant with the contractual frameworks set forth by the league.
As teams and players gear up for another season, the interplay of strategy, negotiation, and adherence to the CBA will undoubtedly continue to shape the competitive and financial landscape of the NFL.