By Joseph M. Ricco IV
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is making headlines with his unconventional approach to contract negotiations. Despite having two years left on his rookie deal, Chase is holding in—showing up to team activities but not fully participating. It’s a strategic move that keeps him involved, avoids injury, and puts pressure on the Bengals to meet his demands. While Chase’s focus is securing a big payday, his approach is setting a new precedent that could impact future negotiations in the National Football League. By exploiting a loophole in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which doesn’t fine players who attend camp, Chase is quietly changing how elite players can use their leverage. Whether or not Chase gets his deal soon, his hold-in could reshape how teams and players handle rookie contracts. This article will explore what makes Chase’s hold-in different, why it matters, and how it could influence the future of NFL contracts.
The Bengals’ Game-Changer
Ja’Marr Chase has been a game-changer for the Cincinnati Bengals since entering the league as the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In just three seasons, Chase has cemented himself as one of the top wide receivers in the league, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and three Pro Bowl selections. His chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow, a connection that dates back to their college days at LSU, has been electric, helping the Bengals reach the Super Bowl in 2022. With over 3,700 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns already to his name, Chase isn’t just a key piece of the Bengals’ offense—he’s a cornerstone of their future. His performance has made it clear that he’s one of the best in the business, and now he’s looking to be paid like it.
Chase is currently on his rookie contract, which runs through 2025 after the Bengals exercised his fifth-year option. In 2024, he’s set to make just over $1 million in base salary, with a significant jump to nearly $22 million in 2025. However, Chase is eyeing a deal that would put him at the very top of the wide receiver market. Reports suggest he’s seeking a four-year extension worth just one penny more than Justin Jefferson’s recent $140 million deal, aiming to become the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. Chase’s demand is putting the Bengals in a tight spot, especially with Joe Burrow’s recent $275 million contract weighing heavily on the team’s salary cap. But Chase’s value on the field makes him nearly impossible to replace, and his current hold-in has ramped up the pressure on the Bengals to find a way to keep their superstar content.
Ja’Marr’s Hold-In
Chase’s hold-in is part of a growing trend among NFL players looking to renegotiate their contracts without dealing with the hefty fines that come with traditional holdouts. Under the current NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, players who hold out and skip mandatory team activities can be fined up to $50,000 per day for veterans and $40,000 per day for those on rookie deals like Chase. Missing preseason games can also cost them a week’s salary, making holdouts a pricey gamble. That’s why guys like CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk, who recently held out, ended up at a temporary disadvantage when they chose to stay away from camp. Chase, on the other hand, is taking a different route by holding in—showing up but not fully participating. It’s a smart move that lets him avoid fines while still keeping the heat on the Bengals, reflecting a new way top players are finding leverage without losing money.
What makes Chase’s hold-in even more eye-catching is the timing. Most players wait to make a stand until the year before their contract is up, looking to lock in a new deal before their current one runs out. But Chase is flipping the script by making his move two years before his rookie deal expires—a bold and rare decision that shows the unique leverage he holds. He’s not just any player; Chase has been a game-changer for the Bengals, and his impact on the field gives him an edge that most players don’t have this early in their careers. His early stand shows how much power he holds and how confident he is in forcing the team’s hand.
As the offseason moves along, Chase’s hold-in keeps everyone guessing about when—or if—he’ll suit up without a new contract. For Chase, this is all about securing his future, but whether or not he gets his deal soon, he’s already making waves. If this standoff lingers, it risks straining his relationship with the Bengals and could turn into a mess if things drag into the season. The longer it goes, the more it shows just how much leverage players like Chase can have and hints at a bigger shift in how these negotiations might go down in the future.
CBA Changes and Future Implications
The current NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire in March 2031, and while that might feel far off, the league and team owners are already considering how to address emerging challenges like the hold-in loophole. This strategy is still a relatively new phenomenon, and clubs are struggling with players who show up but don’t fully participate, putting them in a tough spot. As more players adopt this approach, it’s likely that the NFL will push for changes in the next CBA to impose stricter rules or financial penalties on hold-ins, aiming to prevent this tactic from becoming the norm. The league has always been quick to safeguard its interests, and if hold-ins continue to gain traction, addressing this issue will be high on their agenda to maintain control over player participation and contract compliance.
As players continue to test these boundaries, it’s hard to predict just how far this trend could go. If Chase’s hold-in proves successful, it could open the door for more players to start pushing the limits, holding out with two years—or even more—left on their deals. This could create a slippery slope where honoring contractual obligations becomes more negotiable, leading to a rise in players opting out of full participation well before their contracts near expiration. The NFL and legal experts may have to step in to set clearer boundaries if this escalates, as the line between strategic leverage and outright contract breaches becomes increasingly blurred. The actions of star players like Chase could set a precedent that shifts the landscape of how contracts are viewed and honored—or not—in the league, and the ripple effects of these decisions could redefine the dynamics between players and teams in the years to come.
The Road Ahead for Contract Negotiations
Ja’Marr’s situation serves as a test case for what might come next in the NFL. Whether his hold-in strategy inspires other players or pushes the league to tighten rules around participation, the outcome will be closely followed. Legal and contractual questions could become more common, forcing teams and the NFL to rethink how they handle early disputes. Chase’s actions might be the start of a bigger conversation about player power, contract expectations, and the future of negotiations in football. Keep an eye on how this plays out—it could reshape how contracts are honored in the years to come.
Ricco is a junior Sport Management and Government double major at the University of Texas at Austin. Joseph is actively involved as a Texas Longhorns Football Recruiting Operations Intern and currently works with Pro Football Focus as a Data Collector. He also has experience as a Training Camp Operations Intern with the Kansas City Chiefs. Joseph aims to leverage his sports management and legal knowledge to pursue a career in football administration.
References
Breech, J. (2024, August 30). Ja’Marr chase contract: Bengals WR wants record deal that tops Justin Jefferson Extension by penny, per report. CBSSports.com. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jamarr-chase-contract-bengals-wr-wants-record-deal-that-tops-justin-jefferson-extension-by-penny-per-report/
Brown, T. (2024, September 3). Ja’Marr Chase’s contract “trajectory” made clear after … Athlon Sports.com. https://athlonsports.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/jamarr-chase-contract-trajectory-made-clear-latest-reports
Corry, J. (2024, August 21). Agent’s take: Ramifications of player hold-ins, why ja’marr Chase must tread carefully as he seeks new deal. CBSSports.com. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-ramifications-of-player-hold-ins-why-jamarr-chase-must-tread-carefully-as-he-seeks-new-deal/
Gavin, M. (2023, June 14). Do NFL players get fined for holding out? yup, here’s how much. NBC New York. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/nfl/do-nfl-players-get-fined-for-holding-out-yup-heres-how-much/4423522/
Kline, C. (2024, September 2). Latest ja’marr Chase Update holds a quiver of Red Flags for Bengals. FanSided. https://fansided.com/posts/nfl-rumors-ja-marr-chase-update-red-flags-bengals
Rapien, J. (2024, August 22). Why ja’marr chase is pushing for extension with two years left on his contract. Cincinnati Bengals On SI. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/why-is-ja-marr-chase-pushing-for-extension-with-two-years-left-on-contract-01j5x1fvc4bq
