NFL Holding Controversy: Why Flags Aren’t Flying and What It Means for the Game
If you were watching Sunday’s matchup between the Bears and Packers, you probably noticed something strange - or rather, didn’t notice something that should’ve been there. Despite a game full of jersey-tugging and edge-stalling tactics, not a single holding penalty was called on the Bears’ offensive line. And that’s especially surprising considering how often Packers linebacker Micah Parsons found himself getting wrapped up like a Christmas present.
From arm grabs to full-on bear hugs (pun fully intended), Parsons was clearly being impeded. But the officials kept the flags in their pockets. And while that might seem like a one-off miss, it’s actually part of a much larger trend that’s been quietly reshaping the way the NFL is played - and officiated.
The Silent Shift in Holding Calls
Let’s be clear: holding happens on nearly every play. That’s not new.
What is new is how rarely it’s being called, especially on passing downs. And there’s a reason for that - or at least, a theory that lines up with what we’re seeing on the field.
The NFL wants offense. It wants points.
It wants big plays and fourth-quarter drama. And in the age of legalized sports betting, it wants viewers locked in until the final whistle, sweating out over/unders and player props.
Calling every holding penalty that actually occurs? That would grind games to a halt and kill momentum.
So officials are letting more and more of it slide.
This isn’t just a conspiracy theory - it’s a reality fans can see week after week. Take Week 8, for example.
During the Chargers-Vikings game, Prime Video’s broadcast highlighted several plays from left tackle Joe Alt, who was coming off a high ankle sprain. In every clip, you could see some degree of holding.
Not one flag was thrown.
And Alt’s not alone. Across the league, offensive linemen are getting away with more than ever before.
It’s not just about missed calls - it’s about a shift in philosophy. The volume of infractions has essentially overwhelmed the officiating process.
The New Normal: Strategic Holding
This brings us to a key point: if officials aren’t calling holding consistently, why wouldn’t teams coach their linemen to push the limits?
It’s the same logic the Seahawks' Legion of Boom used in their heyday. They played physical, hands-on coverage every snap, knowing the refs weren’t going to throw a flag on every single play.
It worked. And now, offensive lines are doing the same thing in the trenches.
If you’re a coach, and you know that holding is only going to be flagged once every 30 plays - if that - you might as well teach your guys to hold smart. Grab just enough to slow the rusher.
Tug just enough to keep your quarterback upright. As long as it’s not egregious, it’s probably not getting called.
That’s the reality the Packers are facing. Yes, they have a right to be frustrated with how the Bears blocked Parsons.
But the practical response might not be to complain - it might be to adapt. If the refs aren’t throwing the flag, then you’ve got to play the same game.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about one game or one player. It’s about the direction the league is heading. The balance between offense and defense has always been a tug-of-war, and right now, the rope is firmly in the hands of the offense.
The NFL has made it clear - whether directly or indirectly - that it wants explosive plays and high-scoring games. That means fewer holding calls, more time for quarterbacks, and more points on the board. And while that might be great for fantasy football and betting slips, it’s creating a gray area where defenders are being asked to win battles under increasingly unfair conditions.
So what’s the takeaway here? Simple: in today’s NFL, if you’re not holding, you’re probably losing.
The officials have set the tone, and teams are adjusting accordingly. Until the league decides to swing the pendulum back toward stricter enforcement, expect the bear hugs - and the no-calls - to keep coming.