The running back market is heating up as two of the NFL's brightest young stars, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs, have initiated "hold-ins" at the start of training camp. Both players reported to their respective team facilities—the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions—on time to avoid fines but are not participating in practice while they await lucrative contract extensions that could reset the market at the position.

What Is a Hold-In and Why Are They Doing It?

A "hold-in" is a strategic move where a player physically reports to training camp and is present at the facility, but refrains from participating in full-contact practices or team drills. By reporting, they avoid the mandatory daily fines (which can reach $40,000-$50,000 per day) that come with a traditional hold-out, where a player does not report at all.

Both Robinson and Gibbs are entering the fourth year of their rookie contracts. The Falcons and Lions exercised their fifth-year options this year, securing team control through the 2027 season. However, both players are seeking long-term security now, aiming to capitalize on their elite production before playing out their current deals.

Robinson's current base salary is $1.145 million this season, with a roster bonus over $2.5 million, and his fifth-year option is set at $11.32 million in 2027. Gibbs earns slightly over $1 million in base salary, with a roster bonus exceeding $2 million, and his fifth-year option is slated at $14.29 million. Despite their pivotal roles, both rank in the bottom half of running back salaries, with Robinson 27th and Gibbs 31st at the position.

The Numbers Behind the Hold-In

The case for both players to be paid among the league's best is undeniable:

Bijan Robinson has been a model of consistency and explosiveness since being drafted 8th overall in 2023. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in the past two seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in 2025. That season, he led the NFL in rushing yards (1,478) and scrimmage yards (2,298), setting a Falcons franchise record. In his first three seasons, he has amassed 5,648 all-purpose yards and 34 total touchdowns.

Jahmyr Gibbs has been equally impactful, earning Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three seasons since being taken 12th overall. In 2025, he rushed for 1,223 yards on five yards per carry and was a receiving threat out of the backfield. Since entering the league, Gibbs has generated 5,029 yards from scrimmage and 49 total touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most electrifying dual-threat players in the game.

The Market They Are Looking to Reset

The top of the running back market is currently anchored by Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley, who signed a contract extension worth an average of $20.6 million per year. San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey follows at $19 million annually, with Derrick Henry at $15 million and Jonathan Taylor at $14 million.

Both Robinson and Gibbs are expected to surpass Barkley's mark. Robinson, coming off a league-leading season, is widely projected to become the highest-paid running back in NFL history whenever his extension is finalized. Gibbs is also expected to command a deal that places him firmly in that upper echelon.

What the Coaches Are Saying

The situation in Detroit appears more uncertain than in Atlanta. Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave a cryptic update on Gibbs, saying, "This will kind of continue. It'll come as it comes. I think that's the best way to say it. This is both sides working through something and we'll take it as it comes, but that's where it is". Campbell's comments suggest there is no imminent resolution.

The Falcons have not publicly commented on the duration of Robinson's hold-in, but there is a belief that a deal will be reached between now and the start of the regular season. As training camps progress and the preseason nears, the pressure on both franchises to secure their offensive cornerstones will only intensify, making this a critical storyline to watch as the 2026 NFL season approaches.