The Detroit Lions may have lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but they’ve still got a serious weapon in the backfield — and the whole league is taking notice.
Third-year running back Jahmyr Gibbs is turning heads and getting major props in the latest ESPN rankings, where NFL coaches, execs, and scouts voted him the third-best RB in the league, right behind heavyweights Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.
But it’s a recent quote from an AFC executive that really stood out.
> “He’s a lot like Reggie Bush, just with a little bit more power.”
That’s high praise — and honestly, it tracks.
At 5’9″ and 200 pounds, Gibbs is built for speed but doesn’t shy away from contact. In fact, he led the NFL with 20 touchdowns in 2024, becoming the first Lions player to do that since Barry Sanders in 1991. That alone is legendary company.
And the numbers don’t lie: 6.4 yards per touch on over 250 touches? That’s the highest average of any player over the past 10 seasons.
What makes this even better for Detroit fans is the one-two punch of Gibbs and David Montgomery. The duo gives the Lions a balanced and unpredictable attack, and when Montgomery missed time, Gibbs showed he can carry the load — rushing for 365 yards on just 64 carries in three games.
With the 2025 season approaching and the Lions eager to shake off the sting of last year’s playoff exit, Gibbs is expected to be right at the center of the action. Whether he’s breaking ankles in open space or punching it in at the goal line, he’s proving every week why that Reggie Bush comparison isn’t just hype — it’s reality.
And if you thought 2024 was impressive, just wait. Gibbs is still just getting started.
Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs Getting Reggie Bush Comparisons — And It’s Well Deserved
