The landscape of NFL contract negotiations has seen significant evolution under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). A notable strategy that has emerged in recent years is the "hold-in" tactic, utilized by players to express contract dissatisfaction without formally holding out of team activities. This maneuver allows players to stay present at team facilities while refraining from fully participating, thereby minimizing the risk of significant fines and penalties.
The Cost of Missing Camp
Under the current CBA, teams are mandated to fine players who miss training camp sessions. For players beyond their rookie contracts, this fine amounts to $50,000 per day, while rookies face a slightly reduced penalty of $40,000 per day. Missing preseason games carries even stiffer penalties. Unrestricted free agents and first-round picks playing under their fifth-year options are especially targeted; they face the loss of an entire week's base salary for each game missed.
The severity of these penalties underscores the league's commitment to maintaining discipline during the critical preparatory stages leading up to the regular season, which officially kicks off following the training camp period and ends on the Sunday before the first regular-season game. Only players on rookie contracts are granted potential forgiveness for these fines under the current CBA.
Notable Hold-Ins
T.J. Watt's successful "hold-in" in 2021 set a precedent when he became the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback shortly before the regular season began. His tactic has inspired others, leading to recent noteworthy examples such as Brandon Aiyuk and Ja'Marr Chase.
Brandon Aiyuk, scheduled to earn 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. His dissatisfaction culminated in a trade request just before training camp began.
Ja'Marr Chase Dilemma
Ja'Marr Chase's situation with the Cincinnati Bengals adds another layer of complexity to the hold-in scenario. Although Chase did not participate in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp, the Bengals exercised a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for him in 2025. The question remains whether Chase will take the field without securing a new contract.
Bengals president Mike Brown has expressed understanding and patience but hints at a possible resolution. "He's a key player next to Joe [Burrow]. He's our next one. He knows that. We know it," Brown stated. He also suggested that while the focus remains on football, the potential for negotiation exists, "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."
If Chase's contract dispute escalates, the Bengals could utilize their rights under his contract and the CBA to terminate his hold-in. Such measures include the maximum penalty for a breach — a fine amounting to a week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay. Drastic measures, such as placing Chase on the reserve/left squad list, would prevent his participation for the entire season and freeze his contract through the following year.
Contract Extensions and Financial Stakes
Other players have recently secured lucrative extensions, fortifying their positions ahead of the impending season. Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings signed a four-year, $140 million extension, featuring $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. Similarly, DeVonta Smith inked a three-year, $75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Jaylen Waddle received a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins.
These extensions reflect the financial stakes and the growing trend of securing star players early, ensuring team stability and minimizing contract disputes that could disrupt the preseason and early regular-season preparations.
As the NFL continues to adapt to the evolving dynamics of player negotiations under the CBA, tactics like the "hold-in" demonstrate the lengths to which players and teams will go to secure their futures. The balance of maintaining discipline while ensuring player contentment remains a critical challenge, shaping the ever-competitive landscape of the NFL.