Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs concluded his third NFL season in early January by emptying out his locker, a bittersweet moment filled with personal memorabilia and reflections. Despite a stellar year with 1,839 scrimmage yards, ranking fifth in the NFL, and 18 touchdowns, second most in the league, the team fell short of making the playoffs, their first miss since 2022. Gibbs earned Pro Bowl honors for the third consecutive season, but his performance declined in the final six games, amplifying concerns about the Lions’ postseason prospects.
Gibbs expressed his disappointment:
“We always have hopes to make it to the Super Bowl, and if not that, at least make the playoffs, and we didn’t get either.”
– Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions running back
Breaking Franchise Records and Standing Among NFL Greats
At just 23 years old, Jahmyr Gibbs has matched or surpassed milestones previously held by some of the NFL’s all-time greats. His 49 touchdowns in the first three seasons exceed Barry Sanders’ record of 47, placing him ahead of Hall of Fame legends such as Gale Sayers, Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell, Randy Moss, Marcus Allen, Emmitt Smith, and Jerry Rice. With 3,580 total yards from scrimmage during his career, Gibbs ranks seventh among all running backs for the same period and is third in scrimmage yards behind Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson. His average of 5.3 yards per carry is second-best among his peers in that timeframe.
Despite these achievements, Gibbs remains driven to improve. When asked if fans have seen his best yet, he responded,
“Nah. I don’t think so. Me personally, I could’ve done a lot of stuff throughout the year to get us out of some holes.”
– Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions running back
Contract Considerations and Team Dynamics Shape Gibbs’ Future
Gibbs is entering a complex phase in his career as the Lions evaluate offering a lucrative contract extension. Detroit has demonstrated a commitment to retaining homegrown talent, securing extensions with stars like right tackle Penei Sewell, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, plus safety Kerby Joseph. Gibbs is expected to be next in line, potentially challenging the market with a deal surpassing the $20.6 million annual salary of Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
However, balancing the rising payroll and the typically shorter career span of running backs makes the situation delicate. Lions management might delay a contract decision, focusing on roster flexibility. General Manager Brad Holmes has reiterated the team’s priority to retain its drafted players, including Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta, defensive back Brian Branch, and linebacker Jack Campbell, but has yet to set a clear timeline.
Holmes stated,
“It is a priority because they’re really good players. And look, when me and [coach] Dan [Campbell] first started, we said we were going to take the path of draft, developing and sign our own. And I do think that that has worked so far in terms of getting us to this point.”
– Brad Holmes, Detroit Lions General Manager
Season End Challenges and Offensive Adjustments
Gibbs’ production dropped significantly toward the end of the season, averaging only 45.3 rushing yards per game in the final six contests, a steep decline from his initial 86.5 yards in the first 11 games. His yards per carry also dipped to 3.1 during this period, reflecting broader offensive struggles. The Lions saw a transition in their offensive leadership after coordinator Ben Johnson departed for a head coaching role, with John Morton taking over play-calling duties initially before head coach Dan Campbell assumed that responsibility midseason. Morton was dismissed shortly after the 2025 season ended.
Detroit hired Drew Petzing, formerly the Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator, to revamp the offense and improve the running game. Petzing’s Cardinals tenure saw high rushing effectiveness, with standings of second in rushing average and ninth in total rushing yards over three seasons, providing hope that Gibbs and the Lions’ ground attack can rebound.
The Role of Coaching and Mentorship in Gibbs’ Development
A key factor in Gibbs’ progression has been his ongoing relationship with running backs coach Tashard Choice, who worked with him previously at Georgia Tech and continues to mentor him during his NFL career. Gibbs credits Choice for significant influence on his development and values the detailed coaching on fundamentals such as toughness, run finishing, and protection assignments.
Choice emphasized,
“Where he’s at right now, I’ve got to continue to harp on him about the little details. The toughness, the finishing the runs, the seeing fronts, the seeing pressure, to sticking his face mask in there on protection. But to see what he’s doing right now, it doesn’t shock me at all because since Day 1, that’s how he’s always been.”
– Tashard Choice, Detroit Lions Running Backs Coach
Teammates’ Confidence and Team Ambitions for 2026
Gibbs maintains a focus on improving personally and leading the Lions offensively in the coming season. His teammates share this optimism about his potential. Offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, who previously offered a sarcastic but supportive comment about Gibbs, now expresses genuine belief in his abilities.
Glasgow noted,
“He’ll be great. I think he’s a great player. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. I think he’s going to do great things.”
– Graham Glasgow, Detroit Lions Offensive Lineman
Detroit’s offense looks to regain its high-scoring form under new coordination, leveraging Gibbs’ talents to improve the run game and overall efficiency moving into 2026.
Historic Accomplishments and Statistical Highlights
In the Lions’ season finale victory over the Chicago Bears, Gibbs quietly secured another milestone by tying Barry Sanders and Randy Moss with 31 games featuring a touchdown in their first three seasons. His 69-yard overtime game-winning touchdown in Week 12 against the New York Giants also made him the seventh player ever to achieve double-digit rushing touchdowns in each of his first three seasons, a feat last matched by Adrian Peterson.
Despite his focus on team goals over personal records, Gibbs acknowledged,
“Oh, I had no idea I had done any of that. That’s cool. I don’t really think about it too much.”
– Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions running back
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders praised Gibbs’ performance and potential, saying,
“I am so happy for Jahmyr, and his teammates. It is really incredible when you think he was able to score so many times with so many other weapons on offense, and he is not done yet, I hope. It is a real testament to his ability to consistently create big plays.”
– Barry Sanders, Former Detroit Lions Running Back
Among notable statistics, Gibbs ranks 22nd all-time in rushing yards over a player’s first three seasons and is among only 19 players to surpass 3,500 rushing and 600 receiving yards in that period, a group with strong Hall of Fame representation. He trails only Derrick Henry with 54 runs of 15 or more yards since he entered the league and shares the second-most explosive touchdown runs (11) over this span with Jonathan Taylor.
Financial Challenges and Roster Management for the Lions
The Lions have committed nearly $1 billion on player contracts since spring 2024, signing nine players to major deals, which complicates Gibbs’ potential extension. The team currently faces a salary cap crunch but plans to create space through contract restructures with top earners like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Alim McNeill, and D.J. Reed. A restructured deal for Goff alone could free up approximately $40 million.
Management could also consider structuring new contracts for LaPorta, Branch, and Campbell to lower their 2026 cap impact, producing additional flexibility. Any extension for Gibbs would, however, increase his 2026 cap number by roughly one-fifth of his signing bonus, assuming a lengthy contract duration.
Looking Ahead: Gibbs’ Motivation and the Lions’ Path Forward
Despite the tough end to an otherwise impressive season, Jahmyr Gibbs views the setback as a learning opportunity. He stated,
“I think it could be a good thing. That’s how I look at it as a positive. You learn from it. Learn as much as we can and fix mistakes going forward.”
– Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions running back
With a renewed coaching staff and the continued guidance of Tashard Choice, combined with his own relentless drive, Gibbs aims to return stronger in 2026. The team’s leadership remains committed to fostering their drafted talents, providing a foundation for Gibbs and the Lions to challenge for playoff contention in the near future.
