Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker III and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on Pace to Break Some Long-Standing NFL Records

If Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker III and Jaxon Smith-Njigba maintain their current pace, they will threaten the NFL single-season records for rushing yards, receiving yards, scrimmage years and touchdowns.

by Craig Ellenport

Oct 12, 2026

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

We’re only five weeks into the 2026 NFL season, but it’s never too early to play the “on pace” game. The first quarter of the season has produced some outstanding offensive performances. If players such as Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker III and Jaxon Smith-Njigba keep it up, then we could see some all-time records shattered.

Surprisingly, Smith-Njigba is not on pace to become the first 2,000-yard receiver in NFL history. It only feels that way. The Seattle Seahawks receiver, who had 1,793 yards last season, currently leads the league with 583 yards. He’s on pace to finish with 1,982 — short of 2,000 but that would still break the record held by Calvin Johnson, who had 1,964 yards in 2012.

While there has never been a 2,000-yard receiver, there have been nine 2,000-yard rushers. Saquon Barkley was the most recent, with 2,005 yards in 2024, but nobody has managed to break the record of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984. Could this be the year?

The Kansas City Chiefs had a Week 5 bye, so it’s only a four-game total, but Kenneth Walker III is averaging 134.3 rushing yards per game. If he somehow maintains that pace, Walker would not only break Dickerson’s record in 16 games, he’d finish the 17-game season with 2,282 yards.

Then there’s the record for combined scrimmage yards. Chris Johnson holds that mark: In 2009, the former Tennessee Titans running back set the record with 2,509 scrimmage yards — 2,006 rushing and 503 receiving.

Two players are currently on pace to break CJ2K’s mark. Walker (537 rushing, 84 receiving) is on pace for a ridiculous 2,639 scrimmage yards. Detroit Lions superstar Jahmyr Gibbs, with 504 rushing yards and 243 receiving yards through five games, is on pace for 2,540 scrimmage yards.

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson isn’t far off the pace. With an NFL-best 580 rushing yards and 152 receiving yards, Robinson is on pace for 2,489 scrimmage yards.

Lastly, Gibbs is percentage points away from being on pace to at least tie the NFL record for touchdowns scored in a season. Gibbs already has nine scores, seven rushing and two receiving. That pace amounts to 30.6. The record is 31, set by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.