The Hawks recruited free agent James Frawley at the end of the 2014 season, but would not entertain a contract beyond four years for the key defender.
Club president Andrew Newbold said the Hawks had not signed a player to a contract longer than that benchmark since he joined the club in 2003.
Hawthorn has remained successful despite defying industry trends.
"We are just not going to break our system down," Newbold said.
"Obviously I can't tell other clubs how to do their business – that is entirely a matter for them – but I can just give you the Hawthorn perspective that we won't be breaking our structure down for one individual."
Hawthorn lost star forward Lance Franklin at the end of 2013 after he signed a nine-year, multi-million dollar deal with the Sydney Swans.
The Western Bulldogs shocked the football world when it signed last year's No.1 draft pick Tom Boyd to a seven-year deal during the trade period.
Several out of contract stars such as Geelong's Tom Hawkins and Greater Western Sydney's Jeremy Cameron are likely to attract extended offers from other clubs.
Essendon signed Michael Hurley to a six-year deal at the start of 2012, and deals of five years and longer have become quite common since free agency was introduced.
Newbold told SEN the landscape had changed but Hawthorn would be sticking to its philosophy that the club was always bigger than the individual.
It has been able to recruit some of the best talent in recent seasons, with Josh Gibson, David Hale, Shaun Burgoyne, Matt Spangher and Ben McEvoy all playing in the 2014 premiership after being traded to the club.
Newbold revealed that the club would go beyond the AFL cap on football department spending in 2015 and pay the resulting penalty tax.
He also restated his view that free agency was of questionable merit.
Free agency will be reviewed at the end of the draft and exchange period but it will remain in place in some form.
