Detroit Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs is staging a "hold-in" to kick off the teams' training camp, which is to be expected as the two sides are still coming to an agreement on an extension. Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, who is expected to get a very similar deal to Gibbs, is also not participating in training camp just yet.
Gibbs has told reporters throughout this offseason that his only concern is getting back to work on the field with the Lions offense, and it has never appeared like either side would be contentious as they work toward a new deal.
"I'm worried about the team. I'm just tryna hoop right now," were Gibbs' limited comments according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard back in June.
Brad Galli, a Lions reporter and insider, recently reported that ESPN insider Adam Schefter can see a deal getting done within the next week or so.
“I think the Gibbs thing could be relatively quick, whatever that is," said Schefter.
Gibbs holding in at Lions training camp
It'll be interesting to see not only the final number reached between Gibbs and the Lions, but whether they get something done before the Falcons can give Robinson his deserved pay day. We're going to be litigating and re-litigating these deals for years to come, just because they're going to be such similar contracts for such similarly impactful running backs.
This is totally common practice, and we know that Gibbs isn't feeling any sort of way towards the Lions where this hold-in would actually garner some concern. The fan favorite running back is probably itching to get back on the field, too, but it's only fair that Detroit shows how much they consider him a pivotal piece of their offense for years to come with a deal that reflects that.
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Gibbs is coming off another electric season despite the team missing out on the postseason. He had 1,223 rushing yards (good for seventh in the league), 13 touchdowns (good for fourth amongst running backs), 243 total carries, and he also averaged five yards per carry (good for ninth in the league). This was a down year for him and the Lions' offensive line, mind you.
With a new-look offensive line and presumably much larger running lanes created for Gibbs, we could be in for an electric year with him as the Lions' "bell cow" on offense. Of course, he has to be paid like he's the bell-cow.
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