Since joining the Detroit Lions as a first-round pick in 2023, Jahmyr Gibbs has rapidly emerged as one of the NFL’s premier running backs, earning Pro Bowl selections in all three of his seasons and amassing over 1,800 yards from scrimmage in each of the past two years. Given his consistent high-level performance and role as a key offensive weapon, the Lions are expected to exercise their option for Gibbs’ fifth year by May 1 and are likely engaging in talks for a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid running back in league history.
While many NFL teams hesitate to offer costly long-term deals to running backs due to the position’s typically short career span, the Lions are prepared to deviate from this trend. They intend to invest heavily in Gibbs, treating him as a core player around whom their offense is built, even though his new contract will likely set a franchise and league record for running back pay.
Why Brad Holmes Is Confident in Committing to Jahmyr Gibbs
Sports analyst Conor Orr from SI.com predicts that the Lions will break new ground by making Gibbs the highest-paid running back in NFL history. He highlights that the team’s general manager, Brad Holmes, is not unfamiliar with such aggressive deals, referencing Holmes’ previous experience with the Los Angeles Rams when they offered Todd Gurley a top-tier contract in 2018.
The Lions will make Jahmyr Gibbs the highest-paid running back in NFL history, setting records in every meaningful contractual category.
Conor Orr, Sports Analyst
Bold? No. But Brad Holmes was with the Rams when the franchise bucked trends and signed Todd Gurley to a top-of-market extension. While this ultimately was a cautionary tale, the Lions’ offense won’t function as designed without the former first-round pick.
Conor Orr, Sports Analyst
Holmes’ willingness to back Gibbs despite past cautionary examples underscores how integral Gibbs is to the Lions’ offensive strategy. The team views him as indispensable and is prepared to make an exception to the common reluctance around paying premium salaries to running backs.
Comparing Jahmyr Gibbs’ Career Trajectory to Todd Gurley’s
Todd Gurley, when signed to a record-breaking running back contract in 2018, was approaching 24 years old and had just completed two consecutive seasons with over 275 carries each. Gurley led the league in rushing touchdowns that same year before his career was cut short by chronic knee injuries. Jahmyr Gibbs is also approaching 24 and has logged three NFL seasons, but his workload has been distinctly different.
Gibbs’ touches have involved a higher percentage of receptions and other lower-impact plays compared to Gurley’s heavier rushing loads at the same stage. Importantly, Gibbs has no known chronic injuries, reducing the risk of an early decline. While any long-term running back contract carries inherent injury risk, Gibbs’ current health and style of play make him a safer bet for a major investment.
Although Holmes experienced the downside of Gurley’s injury-shortened prime firsthand, he appears unafraid to offer a similarly significant commitment to Gibbs, confident that this deal will pay dividends for the Lions’ offense in coming years.
The Broader Impact of the Contract on the Lions and NFL Running Back Market
The anticipated Jahmyr Gibbs contract extension will not only reshape the Lions’ roster but could also influence how NFL teams value premier running backs going forward. As the position often faces undervaluation due to physical demands and injury concerns, this deal might set a precedent for prioritizing dual-threat backs who contribute both in rushing and receiving.
For the Detroit Lions, securing Gibbs with a top-tier contract reflects a strategic decision to build around a versatile and dynamic player crucial to their offensive schemes. The move is expected to drive team competitiveness and maintain fan enthusiasm ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft and beyond.
