Jahmyr Gibbs spent his 2025 season proving he is one of the most versatile weapons in the NFL. The 23-year-old finished with 1,223 rushing yards, another 616 yards through the air and 18 total touchdowns, showing he could beat defenses on the ground and in the passing game alike.
Whether he was breaking through the line or making defenders miss after the catch, Gibbs gave Detroit's offense a game-changing threat on nearly every touch. The offseason, though, brought its share of uncertainty.
Detroit exercised Gibbs' fifth-year option in April, but negotiations on a long-term extension carried into training camp. Gibbs stayed around the team and sat in on meetings, but he was held out of practice in what turned into a hold-in.
He downplayed any connection to money, while head coach Dan Campbell pointed to a minor back issue as the reason. Still, the timing lined up with a broader shift around the league, with Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor both landing lucrative extensions that reset the market for top running backs.
Detroit has now locked up its top offensive playmaker. The Lions and three-time Pro Bowler have agreed to a three-year extension worth $67.5 million, with a maximum value of $75.75 million through incentives.
The deal includes $51.5 million guaranteed, making Gibbs the highest-paid running back in NFL history. His agent, Todd France of Athletes First, confirmed the agreement.
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Lions added Isiah Pacheco in free agency to bring another physical presence into the backfield, but there has been little question about who leads Detroit's offense.
Gibbs remains the centerpiece, and with his contract situation resolved, the Lions head into 2026 expecting their offense to stay among the league's most explosive.
How far Detroit goes in the NFC title picture will likely depend on the kind of season Gibbs puts together.
