As the calendar turns to April, the league awaits teams' decisions on whether to exercise fifth-year options on first-round picks from the 2023 draft ahead of the May 1st deadline.
For the Detroit Lions, the focus falls squarely on middle linebacker Jack Campbell and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, two players whose performances have not only justified their draft status but also positioned them for lucrative futures in Detroit.
The fifth-year option is a method reserved for first-rounders, allowing teams to extend four-year base rookie contracts by an additional year. The salary for that fifth year is determined by a tiered system: basic, playing time, single Pro Bowl, or multiple Pro Bowl appearances.
It’s a flexible tool for retaining homegrown talent, but teams can also negotiate a contract extension or decline the option and let them hit free agency.
In 2024, the Detroit Lions triggered Penei Sewell’s fifth-year option, then quickly locked him down by adding a four-year, $112 million extension to that fifth-year option. Sewell’s $28 million AAV was a record for offensive linemen, though he’s since been overtaken by Laremy Tunsil ($30.1M), Rashawn Slater ($28.5M), and Tristan Wirfs ($28.1M).
A year later, Lions general manager Brad Holmes also extended Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams on multi-year deals after their fifth-year options were exercised.
Given this pattern, it’s reasonable to anticipate Campbell and Gibbs will see their options picked up, with extensions likely to follow.
Campbell started 17 games in each of the past two seasons after a 12-start rookie campaign, is coming off a career year, having totaled five sacks, 17 pressures, and a staggering 176 combined tackles (89 solo) in 2025. He added four pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two of which he recovered. This is on the heels of a stout 2024 season where he racked up 131 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Pro Football Focus awarded him an overall grade of 90.2 (second among 88 qualified linebackers), a coverage grade of 71.4 (12th), and a run-defense grade of 93.0, the best at his position.
With the Detroit Lions turning the defense over to Campbell last season and moving on from his veteran running mate, Alex Anzalone, this winter, I fully expect the Lions to pick up his fifth-year option and extend him; whether the extension comes this summer or next is to be determined.
It’s a bit difficult to predict Campbell’s fifth-year option number, but there are a couple of comparisons. The Ravens picked up Odafe Oweh’s fifth-year option two years ago, and it was worth $13.251 million. All other linebackers over the past two years who qualified for the option had it voided, including Devin Lloyd, Quay Walker, Zaven Collins, Jamin Davis, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.
Detroit Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs is an exception to the rule
You've heard the term 'we don't pay running backs.' That refers to their vigerous workload, and the physical beating playing the position comes with. It's a position teams often commit to running the player into the ground and drafting a successor. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Running backs have seen their position devalued over the years, but Gibbs is one of the few who alter that trend. He’s one of only two backs, alongside Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, taken in the first round in 2023; both are expected to see their fifth-year options triggered. And both are expected to see contract extensions.
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Gibbs has averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry every season, made three straight Pro Bowls, led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, and posted back-to-back 1,200+ yard campaigns. He’s grown into Detroit’s top offensive weapon, and I predict his next contract to come in north of $20 million per year, rivaling Christian McCaffrey ($19M AAV) and Saquon Barkley ($20.6M AAV).
While some adamantly argue against a heavy investment at the position due to injury risk, workload, and a history of others seeing their production rapidly fall off a cliff, Gibbs has proven himself worthy of exception, a player cut from the same cloth as the likes of Saquon Barkley, McCaffrey, and Robinson.
Some more fifth-year option context
Across the league, fifth-year options are beginning to occur.
Bryce Young (first overall, 2023) is guaranteed $26.5 million in 2027. C.J. Stroud will earn $25.9 million, Will Anderson Jr. $21.5 million, and Christian Gonzalez $18.1 million. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba is set for a $23.9 million option, followed by a four-year, $168.6 million extension that makes him the highest-paid receiver ever, locked in through 2031.
For the Detroit Lions, the upcoming decisions on Campbell and Gibbs will not only affect their roster but also reflect the league’s evolving strategy on rookie contracts and star retention.
Many fans, myself included, wondered why Holmes appeared a bit conservative this offseason, knowing all of the roster needs among the Lions' depth chart, but some of the remaining cap space won't just be allocated to the upcoming draft class, but also accounting for long-term future extensions with their own players, such as Gibbs and Campbell.