The landscape of NFL contract negotiations is shifting dramatically under the 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA), as new tactics and stipulations reshape how players and teams interact regarding contract disputes.
'Hold-In' Tactic Gains Prominence
One of the most notable developments in this evolving landscape is the rise of the "hold-in" tactic. Players are using this maneuver to express their dissatisfaction with current contracts without incurring the severe fines associated with holding out. Under the existing CBA, teams are mandated to impose fines on players who miss training camp. For players beyond their rookie contracts, the penalty stands at $50,000 per day. Meanwhile, rookies face a fine of $40,000 per day. Additionally, missing preseason games leads to further penalties, targeting unrestricted free agents and first-round picks playing under their fifth-year options, with a week's base salary deducted for each game missed.
Training camp spans from a team's mandatory reporting date through the Sunday before the first regular-season game. During this period, only those on rookie contracts have the potential for fine forgiveness under the current CBA. This stringent fine structure has led players to adopt the hold-in tactic, where they report to camp but limit their participation to avoid penalties.
Big Names and Bigger Contracts
Recent events involving high-profile players illustrate how the hold-in tactic can sometimes result in significant payoffs. T.J. Watt utilized this strategy in 2021 and subsequently became the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback just before the regular-season opener.
However, not all contract disputes resolve as positively. Brandon Aiyuk's situation with the San Francisco 49ers exemplifies the ongoing tensions between players and teams. Scheduled to make a fully guaranteed $14.124 million in 2024 on a fifth-year option, Aiyuk skipped offseason workouts, incurring a $101,716 fine for missing the mandatory June minicamp. He also requested a trade just before the start of training camp, signaling deep dissatisfaction with his contract status.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase finds himself in a similar quagmire. Despite the Bengals exercising a fully guaranteed $21.816 million fifth-year option for him in 2025, Chase did not participate in team drills beyond walkthroughs during June's mandatory minicamp. Speculation is rife that he might not play 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, underlining Chase's critical role in the team.
Potential Consequences and Team Responses
The Bengals are in a position to enforce their contractual rights under Chase's current deal and the CBA to end his hold-in. The maximum penalty for a breach or violation of Paragraph 2 in the NFL Player Contract includes a fine of one week's salary and a four-week suspension without pay. Players who walk out after reporting to training camp risk being placed on the reserve/left squad list, making them ineligible to play for the rest of the season and freezing their contracts for the following year.
Bengals president Mike Brown expressed a cautious approach to the contract dispute, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the season. "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 said, hinting at the complexities of mid-season negotiations.
Lucrative Extensions and New Agreements
Despite these disputes, many players have successfully secured lucrative extensions. Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension 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 deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Jaylen Waddle received a three-year, $84.75 million extension from the Miami Dolphins.
These high-value contracts underscore the importance of top talent in the NFL and the lengths to which teams will go to retain key players. However, they also highlight the delicate balancing act between player demands and team policies within the framework of the current CBA.
As the 2023 season looms, these contract negotiations and tactics will continue to shape the dynamics between players and teams. With high stakes and substantial financial implications, the evolving strategies and responses in NFL contract negotiations will be closely watched by fans, analysts, and stakeholders alike.