Every year, NFL players hold out from mandatory team practices, and usually it’s due to contractual disputes or trade requests. The NFL collective bargaining agreement has set fines that would apply unless a team declares the absence as an excused one.
The fines for missing mandatory offseason programs range from $16,459 for the first day, $31,920 for the second day, and $49,374 for the third day and any additional days. The reasons behind these holdouts vary, but they affect most players who decide not to attend.
One of the top holdouts that’s been reported is New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley. The running back publicly announced on Sunday that he would not be attending Giants’ minicamp this week because the team and he have not yet reached a new deal.
In the offseason, the Giants put a franchise tag worth $10.1 million on Barkley. While the team signed quarterback Daniel Jones, Barkley quickly stated that he would not sign his tag.
It was recently reported that he turned down a deal worth $14 million a season, and both sides have until mid-July to come to a new agreement. The 26-year-old rusher had a solid season, having recorded 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings DE Danielle Hunter is another player who has attracted attention with his holdout. Reports suggest that there are contract issues as well as concerns about his future with the Vikings. Hunter signed a five-year, $72 million extension in 2018.
However, he is in the final year of that deal and is set to make just $4.9 million this year with nothing guaranteed. Recent calls suggest the Vikings have had multiple trade offers made for the 28-year-old Hunter, and some notable veterans have already been cast aside by the team. Hunter had an impressive season, having recorded 10.5 sacks in 2020 and has 71 career sacks since 2015.
New England Patriots DT Lawrence Guy is also making headlines with his absence from the Patriots’ first day of mandatory minicamp. Sources indicate that Guy is looking for an adjustment to the deal he signed in 2021.
After trying out free agency, he ultimately signed a four-year, $11.5 million contract extension with New England. Guy, 33, has achieved 106 combined tackles, 10 quarterback hits, and 3.5 sacks in the past two seasons.
He has two more seasons to go on his deal and is set to make $2 million in base pay with no guaranteed money.
At the end of the offseason every year, NFL teams must hold a mandatory minicamp. It’s during this time that players meet with the coaching staff, get in some practice reps, and gear up for training camp and the subsequent regular season.
Despite having to attend it, some players opt to hold out for a variety of reasons. In some cases, it’s as a negotiating tactic over their contracts. In other cases, they might request a trade out of the team for various reasons, including poor performance or disputes with the coaching staff or management.
Many of these holdouts are subject to a fine set in place by the NFL collective bargaining agreement. Any player who doesn’t have their absence categorized as excused would incur significant fines.
This includes $16,459 on the first day, $31,920 on the second day, and $49,374 on the third day and every day after that. It’s a rule designed to keep players from skipping out on mandatory team activities and to encourage them to show up for the betterment of the team.
Overall, it’s essential that players are always conscious of their contractual agreements so as to avoid damaging their reputations by holding out unjustifiably.
One of the most notable players opting to hold out is Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants’ running back. The Giants placed an offseason franchise tag worth $10.1 million on him while signing quarterback Daniel Jones.
Barkley quickly made it known that he wouldn’t sign the tag and has since turned down a deal worth $14 million per season. To attend the mandatory minicamp without prejudice, both sides have until July 17 to reach a new agreement. Barkley finished the season with 1,312 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns to his name.
Another NFL player holding out is the Minnesota Vikings’ Danielle Hunter. The Vikings are reportedly receiving trade offers for the defensive end.
Hunter signed a five-year, $72 million contract extension in 2018 and is now in the final year of that deal. The defensive end had 10.5 sacks last season and has recorded a career total of 71 sacks since 2015. Hunter his holdout due to both his current contract setup and his future with the team.
New England Patriots DT Lawrence Guy was reported not to have attended the first day of mandatory minicamp.
Guy is seeking an adjustment to the extension he signed with the Patriots in 2021. After testing free agency, Guy agreed to a four-year, $11.5 million extension with the team. The 33-year-old defensive tackle had an impressive two seasons before his current contract but is looking to make a change going forward.
Both management and players are aware that holdouts can happen, whether as a form of protest or as an attempt to renegotiate a contract. However, they remain contentious and reflect poorly on players who opt to take this route, particularly if there is no valid reason to do so
. Players who hold out without good cause and without prior agreement with the team management face significant fines that could harm their finances and reputations going forward.
One way around holding out entirely from the mandatory team program is to reach an agreement between management and players that exempts them from attending. It’s not uncommon for this to occur even for players who wish to play in less strenuous positions or who may have had a significant previous injury.
This is typically done through an agent who handles negotiations and directly communicates with teams in an effort to satisfy everyone. Ultimately, both parties usually seek a mutually beneficial agreement that works for the team, the player, and the agent involved.
It’s essential for football players to demonstrate their commitment to a team and act professionally at all times, both on and off the field. For many fans, this is an essential positive trait when it comes to assessing long-term talent and forecasting players’ future successes.
It’s imperative that the younger generation of NFL players understand the impact of their actions and make an effort to build an excellent reputation in the league.
Total buyouts are fairly uncommon in the NFL, with only a handful happening each year, if any. But in some cases, players have no choice but to demand one due to significant disagreements with management.
The issue goes beyond the player’s self-interest, particularly when a player feels that they are a danger to the team’s success. In these cases, holding out is seen as necessary not just by the player affected, but also by other team members and their support staff.
It’s worth noting that holding out can also have external consequences that may impact a player’s career. While the NFLPA protects a player’s legal rights to hold out, there can be unsavory ramifications.
For instance, a holdout could lead to a player’s reputation taking a significant hit, making it harder for him to negotiate future deals or even be picked up by a team. In the end, it’s a balancing act that players must choose to engage in.
In conclusion, although holdouts during mandatory NFL team practices are a reality, they can lead to significant consequences and rarely go off without a hitch. Whether it’s the series of fines that players may incur or the hit to their reputation, opting to not attend these programs comes with a heavy price tag.
Players should be aware of this and work towards resolving disputes with management before going through with a holdout. In cases where disputes may be unavoidable, it’s essential for players to communicate respectfully while upholding their legal rights.
Players choose to hold out of mandatory NFL team practice for a variety of reasons, but the top reason is usually contract negotiations.
Players and management alike should acknowledge the rights of the other and work together to reach an agreement that works for everyone. This helps improve morale and sets a positive example for the younger, upcoming generation of NFL players. Ultimately, the goal should always be to work together as a cohesive team and maximize strength towards winning games and championships.