A major payday could be coming for Jahmyr Gibbs, and the Detroit Lions have already set the stage for it.
By trading David Montgomery and his $16.5 million deal to the Houston Texans, Detroit effectively committed to Gibbs as their lead back. The move increases his role—and his leverage—heading into future contract talks.
As a 2023 first-round pick, the Lions can exercise his fifth-year option by May 1, which would cost about $14.3 million. That’s manageable, but it may be far below his eventual market value.
Massive Extension Incoming?
Analyst Ari Meirov believes Gibbs could reset the running back market. Currently, Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles leads the position at $20.6 million per year.
However, projections suggest Gibbs—and Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons—could push that figure into the $25–26 million range annually due to their versatility.
More Than a Running Back
Gibbs’ value comes from his dual-threat ability. Alongside quarterback Jared Goff, he has been a key piece of one of the league’s top offenses since entering the NFL.
In 2025, he recorded 1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry. As a receiver, he added 77 catches for 616 yards and five touchdowns—career highs.
The Complication
Despite his production, two factors could impact negotiations:
The NFL has historically devalued running backs financially
Detroit has multiple young stars from the same draft class to pay
Bottom Line
Gibbs isn’t just productive—he’s central to Detroit’s offense.
With his expanded role and elite versatility, he’s positioned to command one of the largest running back contracts in NFL history when extension talks begin.
