For the Detroit Lions, a contract extension that will likely make Jahmyr Gibbs the highest-paid running back in the league is clearly on the agenda this offseason. And, frankly, it's inevitable to happen as the May 1 deadline to pick up his fifth-year option looms.
General manager Brad Holmes was recently asked about picking up fifth-year options for Gibbs and fellow 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell, and gave a brief answer.
"We haven’t yet [exercised the options], but we’ve already had discussions about both of them."
As a practical matter for the Lions, picking up Gibbs' (or Campbell's) fifth-year option will likely just be a placeholder for a multi-year agreement to be reached at some point this offseason. Any other outcome, for either guy, is not in the realm of possibility at all.
Mike Florio takes opportunity to stir the pot regarding Lions and Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs is of course not the only high profile running back from the first round of the 2023 draft. But the Atlanta Falcons have picked up Bijan Robinson's fifth-year option, while the Lions have not done so with Gibbs yet.
On Monday's episode of "PFT Live", with Robinson's fifth year option being picked up as the topic of conversation, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk took the opportunity to stir the pot a little.
“I ain’t showing up for the off season program if I’m Bijan Robinson. Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs — do not enter the facility,” Florio said. “Do not pick up a weight. Do not put on a cleat. Do not do anything until you get your second contract. That’s a no-brainer.”
“I’m sorry, Falcons fans, Lions fans, you just want everything to be fine,” Florio saidd. “Well, the sooner your organizations takes care of these guys, then it will all be fine because they both deserve massive market-level paydays and they should take zero risk--zero risk--with their health now or in the future until they get those contracts.”
Some players have a contract bonus tied to showing up for a certain percentage of offseason work, and coaches would love it if everyone showed up on Day 1. But until (and other than) mandatory minicamp, the offseason program for every NFL team is labeled as voluntary.
Players around the league, with a contract situation or not, regularly don't show up for all of, or any of, voluntary offseason work. It's usually not much more than fodder for a head coach or a general manager to be asked questions about anyone who isn't present before it's technically required.
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The Lions will start their offseason program on April 20, next Monday. There will surely be players who don't show up to Allen Park, and it really won't be surprising if Gibbs is among them. And if that is the case, it won't necessarily be a sign that he's unhappy or angling for a new contract before he'll show up to the voluntary part of offseason work.
Holmes' short answer about fifth-year options fits the clear template of not doing contract negotiations in public. But the silence on a new contract for Gibbs invites ideas about what could or should happen on either end, and Florio came through with a stance he thinks Gibbs should take.
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