The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has taken a dramatic turn under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) established in 2020. One of the more intricate maneuvers players now use to express dissatisfaction is the "hold-in" tactic. Unlike a traditional holdout, where the player skips team activities entirely, a "hold-in" allows the player to attend but not participate fully, effectively making a statement without incurring the steep penalties associated with missing training camp.
Under the current CBA, fines are mandatory for players who miss training camp. Veterans face a hefty $50,000 fine per day, while rookies are fined $40,000 per day. In addition, missing preseason games can cost players a week's base salary for each missed game. The only players eligible for potential fine forgiveness are those still on their rookie contracts.
The Rise of the Hold-In Tactic
The "hold-in" tactic has proven effective in several high-profile cases. In 2021, T.J. Watt successfully used this approach, eventually becoming the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback shortly before the season opener.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has similarly adopted this strategy. Scheduled to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, Aiyuk skipped offseason workouts and incurred a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. He even requested a trade right before the start of training camp, adding another layer of complexity to his contract saga.
Ja'Marr Chase's Contract Standoff
Ja'Marr Chase, another notable case, opted out of team drills beyond walkthroughs during the mandatory June minicamp. The Cincinnati Bengals have exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for him in 2025. However, Chase might refrain from playing without a new contract.
Bengals president Mike Brown has been vocal on the matter, stating, "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it." 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."
The team could enforce its rights under Chase's contract and the CBA to end his hold-in, potentially leading to steep penalties. A breach or violation of Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract can result in a penalty of one week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay. Additionally, any player walking out after reporting risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, which would prevent him from playing for the rest of the season and freeze his contract for the following year.
Big Contract Extensions
While hold-ins and contract disputes capture headlines, other players have successfully secured lucrative extensions. Justin Jefferson signed a staggering four-year, $140 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, which includes $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Similarly, DeVonta Smith inked a three-year, $75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Jaylen Waddle secured a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins. These deals highlight the escalating market value for top-tier talent.
As negotiations continue to evolve under the new CBA, players are finding innovative ways to leverage their positions. The hold-in tactic symbolizes a shift in player strategy, representing a delicate balance between asserting individual rights and maintaining team commitments. With high-profile cases like those of Brandon Aiyuk and Ja'Marr Chase still unfolding, the implications for future negotiations are profound, altering the dynamics of how NFL business is conducted in the modern era.