After lighting up the NFL in 2024 with a jaw-dropping 20-touchdown campaign, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has officially arrived as one of the league’s most electrifying weapons. But as the 2025 season looms, ESPN is urging fans to pump the brakes just a bit.
According to NFL analyst Mike Clay, Gibbs may be due for a regression in the scoring column. ESPN projects the dynamic back to total 14 touchdowns this year—six fewer than last season. The reasoning? A lot of his scores came from inside the five-yard line, where he actually had fewer carries than teammate David Montgomery when both were healthy.
Still, that doesn’t mean Gibbs’ star is fading. In fact, his 2024 performance—where he averaged 5.65 yards per carry—cemented his place in the Lions’ high-powered offense. And with his game-breaking speed, elite change-of-direction, and growing presence as a receiver, Gibbs remains a matchup nightmare for defenses.
Detroit’s deep offensive lineup may spread the scoring around more this season, but Gibbs will continue to be a major part of the game plan. Whether he scores 14 or 20, the Lions know what they have in No. 26: a rare playmaker who can flip a game in one touch.
Bottom line: even if the touchdowns come down, Gibbs’ impact won’t.
ESPN Predicts Touchdown Dip for Jahmyr Gibbs in 2025—But Lions Still Expect Big Things
