The Detroit Lions have been firmly committed to rewarding their own, and savvy drafting has put several players in position to be rewarded with notable second contracts. Next on that agenda are the remaining three members of a star-studded 2023 draft class who don't have extensions, led by running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
When Gibbs signs his new deal, with timing the determining factor compared to when the Atlanta Falcons get a deal done with Bijan Robinson, he's in line to be either the highest- or second-highest-paid running back in the NFL.
Given the short shelf life of running backs, there was an argument for Gibbs (and Robinson) to do little or nothing on the practice field during organized team activities (OTAs) until their situations are resolved. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk took the lead to make that argument in April, and he did it again in June — when it made way less sense.
As training camp nears, the idea of Gibbs withholding services on the practice field is suddenly more logical once again.
Former Lions player suggests Jahmyr Gibbs will take a stand in effort to get contract extension
On Friday's edition of 97.1 The Ticket's Costa and Jansen with Heather, when Gibbs' situation was discussed, co-host and former Lions' offensive lineman Jon Jansen had some insight:
"A little bit of the inside scuttle is that there is a chance that Jahmyr Gibbs is looking at running back deals, the contracts that the Lions have handed out, when they've handed them out, and says, 'I'm next in line, and if I don't get my contract before camp, I may be a hold-in, or a hold-out ... until he gets a new deal."
It's easy to wonder, even lightly question, how plugged-in Jansen is to the Lions' building. Well, he addressed that part without a specific prompt.
"I have heard it from sources close to the team, where I don't think anybody would be surprised if he missed a couple of days."
Gibbs missing the first couple of days of training camp in a "hold-in" would be nothing to worry about, and there's an argument that it would be beneficial to him from a physical standpoint. He would be showing up to Allen Park on Day 1 in order to avoid being fined for missing days of camp, with a contract extension likely coming his way in short(ish) order.
If a potential "hold-in" goes beyond a few days, then it could become a thing. The Lions have Gibbs under contractual control for two more seasons after picking up his fifth-year option this offseason, so they may want to see how he handles a workhorse role this season before making a massive long-term commitment.
That being said, is this really where the Lions want to draw the line regarding paying people? At the player head coach Dan Campbell has called the "bell cow" of the offense?
The fact that Detroit hasn't yet inked an extension with Gibbs, when they have otherwise been very proactive with second contracts, easily invites ideas about a training camp situation where he would not practice until he gets paid. Jansen, with sources close to the team, apparently, has added a hint of legitimacy to the lurking possibility.
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