We're still waiting to see how big of an extension Jahmyr Gibbs will receive from the Detroit Lions this offseason, and they might not even reach an agreement on one this offseason - they picked up his fifth-year option already, so he's locked in with the team until 2028.
They could very well let Gibbs play out his current, very team friendly deal while also acting as the teams' bell cow on offense.
Of course, that doesn't really feel like the Lions' speed. They've already paid a few of their key stars in recent years - Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, and Jack Campbell - and they seem intent on doing the same for Gibbs. He claims to not be that focused on getting a deal done, but of course, it'd sweeten the season if he did.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently pieced together a list of the NFL's top running backs headed into 2026, and Gibbs landed second to Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson on his ranking. This could be yet another window into Gibbs, and Robinson's, future as it pertains to their extensions, and who's team will end up saying the bigger number.
"While some voters see Robinson as the better inside runner, Gibbs has proved durable despite running inside and outside the box. With David Montgomery traded to Houston, Gibbs could log his first 300-carry season in 2026. He has averaged 225 carries per year since 2023."
Gibbs ranked 2nd overall amid NFL running backs
It would be in the Lions' best interest to get something done with Gibbs before they begin to utilize him to the degree suggested here by Fowler. With just Isiah Pacheco and a few other less than stellar options for Detroit behind Gibbs headed into 2026, and with the addition of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to the coaching staff, it's fair to reason that Gibbs will be the catalyst for the teams' success on offense this upcoming year.
It's not all on him, especially since the Lions have one of the best overall units on offense in the league, and especially in the NFC North. Their offensive line will also have to pick up the slack for Gibbs, and they might need some time to gel in a real-game scenario with so many changes up the middle and at tackle.
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As we've written about recently, though, the pairing between Gibbs, Petzing, and specifically Cade Mays seems to be one made in heaven. Mays was one of the best centers in a heavy gap scheme back in 2024, although the Carolina Panthers were never able to take advantage of that skill set nor able to utilize it often enough. Gibbs was one of the best running backs that season at taking advantage of that scheme. And, Petzing ran it quite a bit with the Arizona Cardinals.
So, could Gibbs end up playing himself not just into the number one ranking here, but also into the conversation for being the top-paid running back in the league when things are all said and done this season? It's absolutely within the realm of possibility. That should push the Lions to try and hammer home a deal with Gibbs before he ends up outplaying their checkbook.
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