Entering the 2026 season, the Detroit Lions have a few lingering questions at multiple positions that haven’t been answered yet. However, one position the team doesn’t have to worry about is running back.
Jahmyr Gibbs, who just became the highest-paid running back in NFL history in August with a three-year extension, will finally be Detroit’s workhorse back in 2026. With David Montgomery departing via a trade to the Houston Texans, the Lions are handing the keys to Gibbs to be their full-time lead back, even if Isiah Pacheco eventually returns from injured reserve.
Gibbs’ situation is set up perfectly for him to post a career year in 2026, and NFL executives couldn’t agree more.
NFL Execs Predict Gibbs to Win Offensive Player of the Year
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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled league personnel for winners at each major award, and for Offensive Player of the Year, Gibbs was the choice. One scout believes Gibbs will relish being the top back, and the Lions will put up a ton of points, which will obviously help the superstar playmaker.
“He’ll rise to the occasion as the lead back; the Lions will be competitive; and they’ll probably be in a lot of shootouts, which will help Gibbs’ production,” a veteran NFL scout said to Fowler.
Despite splitting reps with Montgomery in his first three years, Gibbs still tallied elite production. The Alabama product posted over 1,900 scrimmage yards and 20 total touchdowns in 2024, and followed that up with 1,839 scrimmage yards and 18 total touchdowns in 2025.
Now that Montgomery is gone, Gibbs will receive even more touches, and if he stays healthy, 2,000 scrimmage yards is attainable. Gibbs has missed just two games in his career, both coming in his rookie campaign in 2023.
If Gibbs passes 2,000 scrimmage yards, scores over 20 touchdowns, and the Lions return to the postseason, it’ll be hard to argue against him for Offensive Player of the Year. The former first-round pick can impact the game in so many ways, and though Detroit’s offense is filled with talent, Gibbs is usually still the best player on the field.
The Lions will open the season at home against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and Gibbs will be looking to jump out to a fast start as he eyes hardware in 2026.
