How NFL holdouts fared in Week 1: Evaluating performances of CeeDee Lamb, Ja’Marr Chase and different stars

It is honest to say that the majority NFL groups seemed rusty in Week 1 of the common season, however some had been extra rusty than others. There may be, in fact, an important debate centered round enjoying your starters within the preseason, however then there are different starters who missed appreciable time in coaching camp attributable to contract points.

This offseason, we noticed each holdouts and “hold-ins.” Some gamers acquired the long-term profitable extensions they had been after, whereas others didn’t. In reality, New York Jets cross rusher Haason Reddick continues to be holding out!

How did the gamers who held out or held on this offseason fare of their respective season openers? Let’s have a look. 

Aiyuk was arguably the story of this offseason. From cryptic feedback the week after the 49ers’ Tremendous Bowl loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, to him possessing Washington Commanders apply movie after which demanding a commerce, to a number of experiences indicating he was headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers — all culminating with him signing a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers.

Aiyuk returned to the fold for recreation week and had a full week of apply previous to the Monday night time showdown in opposition to the Jets, however he seemed rusty. Aiyuk caught two of 5 targets for 28 yards and was San Francisco’s fifth-leading receiver. Jauan Jennings led all 49ers with 64 receiving yards on 5 receptions.

Aiyuk’s first goal got here on a second-and-5 late within the first quarter, the place he did not reel in a slant cross from Brock Purdy because of nice protection from Sauce Gardner. Proper earlier than halftime, Aiyuk dropped a landing ultimately zone, which drew the ire of Peyton Manning. 

Williams was one other 49er that beat the regular-season buzzer, as he signed a three-year deal value $82.66 million lower than every week earlier than Week 1. He spent all of coaching camp on his personal. Regardless of his prolonged absence, Williams didn’t enable a single strain vs. the Jets on 33 pass-blocking snaps, per Subsequent Gen Stats. Nonetheless, he did need to go to the locker room to obtain an IV within the fourth quarter. Williams performed 97% of offensive snaps.

Lamb confirmed no rust in his 2024 debut. The Cowboys’ WR1 opted for a professional maintain out this offseason, the place he spent most of camp coaching by himself earlier than signing a four-year, $136 million extension on Aug. 26. In Week 1 in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, Lamb was Dallas’ main receiver, having caught 5 of 10 targets for 61 yards, and rushed 3 times for 25 yards. 

On the Cowboys’ six-play, 70-yard landing drive within the first quarter, Lamb picked up 44 yards on two touches earlier than Dak Prescott discovered Brandin Cooks ultimately zone for a 21-yard rating. Lamb seemed simply as quick and elusive as he at all times has. 

TruMedia did cost Lamb with a third-down drop within the fourth quarter. His manufacturing dropped off within the second half, as Lamb caught 4 of his 5 passes within the first quarter, however the Cowboys had been whooping the Browns so unhealthy it did not actually matter. 

“Not likely,” Lamb instructed CBS Sports activities when requested if he felt rusty in Week 1. “I might be sincere, probably not at first of that recreation however as the sport progressed, that is after I actually needed to concentrate on my strategies and fundamentals of the sport.”

Chase is the one participant on this record who didn’t obtain an extension. He held in for many of coaching camp, along with his head coach Zac Taylor making an attempt to divert consideration away from the scenario. Chase did return to the apply subject for recreation week, after which caught all six of his targets for a game-leading 62 yards within the upset loss to the New England Patriots. 

You may’t say Chase particularly carried out poorly given how the Bengals seemed as a complete. Plus, he revealed that he handled meals poisoning the day earlier than the sport.