The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has undergone a significant transformation under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Players have developed new strategies, such as the "hold-in" tactic, to express dissatisfaction with existing contracts without directly violating the terms that would subject them to mandatory fines.
The current CBA requires teams to impose strict penalties on players who miss training camp, a move designed to maintain discipline and punctuality. Players beyond their rookie contracts can face fines of $50,000 per day, while rookies incur a $40,000 fine for each day missed. The repercussions extend into the preseason, where skipping games can cost a player a week's base salary for each absence. This strict framework aims to curtail unprofessional conduct while maintaining the integrity of the league’s schedule.
Tactic of the "Hold-In"
Despite these stringent penalties, players have found ways to navigate around them. A prime example is the "hold-in" tactic, where players attend camp but refrain from participating in practice as a form of protest. T.J. Watt employed this strategy in 2021 and secured the designation of the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback just before the season opener.
However, this tactic comes with its own set of risks. A player walking out after reporting to training camp could be placed on the reserve/left squad list, halting their ability to play for the rest of the season and freezing their contract for the following year. The maximum penalty for violating Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract includes a fine equivalent to one week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay.
Key Contract Extensions
The current environment has seen notable contract negotiations and extensions. Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, with $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 extension worth $84.75 million from the Miami Dolphins.
Brandon Aiyuk and Ja'Marr Chase at the Forefront
Brandon Aiyuk and Ja'Marr Chase exemplify the ongoing contractual tensions. Aiyuk, who is set to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, skipped offseason workouts, incurring a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp and requested a trade shortly before camp began.
Ja'Marr Chase's situation with the Cincinnati Bengals is equally compelling. The Bengals have exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025. Notably absent from team drills beyond walkthroughs during June’s mandatory minicamp, Chase has signaled he might withhold his services without a new contract. "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it," said Bengals president Mike Brown. On the possibility of resolving Chase's contract demands, Brown 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."
Should the Bengals choose to enforce their rights under Chase's contract and the CBA, his hold-in could come to an abrupt conclusion. The evolving landscape of NFL contract negotiations, underlined by these high-stakes scenarios, showcases the delicate balance between player empowerment and the strict regulations of the league's framework.