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 teams seemed rusty in Week 1 of the common season, however some have been extra rusty than others. There’s, after all, an incredible debate centered round enjoying your starters within the preseason, however then there are different starters who missed appreciable time in coaching camp as a result of contract points.

This offseason, we noticed each holdouts and “hold-ins.” Some gamers acquired the long-term profitable extensions they have been after, whereas others didn’t. In reality, New York Jets go 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’ Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, to him possessing Washington Commanders follow movie after which demanding a commerce, to a number of studies 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 follow 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 didn’t reel in a slant go from Brock Purdy due to 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 Next Gen Stats. Nonetheless, he did should 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 official 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 thrice 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 all the time 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 have been whooping the Browns so unhealthy it did not actually matter. 

“Probably not,” Lamb instructed CBS Sports activities when requested if he felt rusty in Week 1. “I can be trustworthy, not likely at first of that recreation however as the sport progressed, that is after I actually needed to concentrate on my methods 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, together with his head coach Zac Taylor attempting to divert consideration away from the state of affairs. Chase did return to the follow 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’ll be able to’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.