Jahmyr Gibbs' fantasy managers where plenty happy with what he did during the 2025 season. He finished as the RB4 across the board (full-point PPR, 0.5-point PPR and standard scoring; through Week 17).
But the path to get there was a rollercoaster. That rollercoaster also bottomed out at the worst possible time, with a finish outside or just barely within the top-24 fantasy running backs during the playoffs (Week 15-17) depending on scoring format.
The Lions' offense overall was simply not as proficient last season as it was the previous three seasons. A drop-off in performance from the offensive line as a whole was the core culprit, permeating to everything else.
With career-highs across the board as a pass catcher (77 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns), Gibbs covered up a lot of his ups and downs in his fantasy production. On multiple occassions when he had a dismal outing on the ground, he made up for it through the air to salvage a workable bottom line.
A reason for Jahmyr Gibbs' ups and downs in 2025 has been revealed
A lot went into the inconsistency, and the dismal fantasy playoff stretch, Gibbs had last season. But Chris Wecht of Fantasy Points has uncovered a sneaky culprit via an interesting split.
Jahymr Gibbs in 11 games Christian Mahogany played 10+ snaps
— Chris Wecht (@ChrisWechtFF) February 18, 2026
17.9 PPR FPTS/G, 4.32 YPC
In 6 games where he played less than 10 snaps
28.6 PPR FPTS/G, 6.31 YPC@FantasyPtsData
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One of the commenters to Wecht's tweet inquired about something, so let's address it. The start of left guard Christian Mahogany missed time with a fractured fibula (Week 10-15) did align with head coach Dan Campbell taking over play-calling from offensive coordinator John Morton. But that was more coincidental than meaningful when it comes to Gibbs' splits with Mahogany on and off the field.
A huge game against the New York Giants in Week 12 skews the difference in fantasy points per game for Gibbs, but the difference of two yards per carry compared to the 11 games Mahogany started is too noticeable to ignore.
Based on how he looked after returning to action, there's also a solid argument Mahogany should not have been activated from IR when he was, if at all. But even as limited as he seemed to be, he was the best option to play left guard if he was at all able.
The bottom line regarding the splits Wecht noted when it comes to Gibbs is this. Can Mahogany be counted on as a fixture on the Lions' offensive line moving forward? Two years of evidence says maybe not, and Giovanni Manu is already a project they're waiting on in that regard.
Independent of the significant splits with and without him for Gibbs last season, moves that are made (or not made) in free agency and the draft will say it all about how Mahogany is viewed by the Lions.