Changing Dynamics in NFL Contract Negotiations
The landscape of NFL contract negotiations continues to evolve under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with recent player tactics and team responses reflecting the shifting power dynamics. One noteworthy strategy players employ to express their dissatisfaction with current contracts is the "hold-in" tactic.
The Hold-In and Its Consequences
This maneuver involves players reporting to training camps but refraining from participating in practice or drills as a form of protest. It bypasses the steep fines associated with missing training camp altogether, which under the current CBA, are mandatory for teams to impose. Players beyond their rookie contracts are fined $50,000 daily for missing camp, while rookies are fined $40,000 per day. Beyond training camp, missing preseason games can also cost players a week's base salary per game missed.
Rising Stars and New Deals
Some prominent players have successfully used the hold-in tactic to secure favorable outcomes. T.J. Watt, for instance, employed this approach in 2021, ultimately becoming the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback days before the regular season began. More recently, the tactic seems to be part of a broader negotiating strategy among several young stars in the league.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, set to command a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, skipped offseason workouts and incurred a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. Shortly before training camp, Aiyuk requested a trade, signaling his dissatisfaction with current contract conditions.
Similarly, Ja'Marr Chase chose not to participate in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June’s mandatory minicamp. The Cincinnati Bengals exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for Chase in 2025, yet he remains a critical figure in the Bengals’ future plans. 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." Chase’s stance indicates that he might not take to the field without a renewed contract, raising tensions as the season approaches.
Potential Penalties and Team Responses
The Bengals could strictly enforce their rights under Chase's contract and the CBA to end his hold-in, facing options like fining him one week’s salary and suspending him for four weeks without pay for breaching Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract. Additionally, should a player decide to withdraw after the start of training camp, he risks being placed on the reserve/left squad list, sidelining him for the entire season and extending his contract by another year.
"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," Brown added, emphasizing the complexities teams face when negotiating under the new CBA.
Significant Extensions Amid Negotiations
Meanwhile, other young talents are securing significant deals. Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, including $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. These figures reflect the team's commitment to retaining top-tier talent.
Elsewhere, DeVonta Smith inked a three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jaylen Waddle agreed to a three-year, $84.75 million extension with the Miami Dolphins. These contracts signify the increasing value teams place on securing their young stars, often before potential contract disputes can arise.
Looking Forward
As players continue to navigate the contemporary landscape of NFL contract negotiations, the hold-in tactic and associated penalties exemplify the delicate balance between player demands and team strategies. The upcoming season will undoubtedly feature more high-stakes negotiations, with both players and teams seeking to leverage their positions under the evolving CBA framework.