Exit Interviews: Gibbs rise to superstardom a driving force behind Lions' record-setting offense
To wrap up the Detroit Lions’ 2024 season, we’re doing a position-by-position evaluation of the roster. Today, we’re focusing on the play of the team’s running backs.
The straightforward stats
Jahmyr Gibbs: 250 carries, 1,412 rushing yards (5.6 YPC), 63 targets, 52 receptions, 517 receiving yards, 20 total touchdowns
David Montgomery: 185 carries, 775 rushing yards (4.2 YPC), 38 targets, 36 receptions, 341 receiving yards, 12 total touchdowns
Advanced metrics
For the fifth consecutive season, Detroit improved its effectiveness on the ground, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. That’s the highest since Barry Sanders’ 2,000-yard campaign in 1997. The team accomplished the production through the shared strength of its offensive line and the individual efforts of Gibbs and Montgomery. The Lions finished in the top 10 in yards before and after contact.
In total, Gibbs and Montgomery accounted for 43.7% of Detroit’s yardage, up from 35.7% in 2023.
Both Gibbs and Montgomery ranked in the top 20 in yards after contact per carry, with Gibbs maintaining a slight edge. He tied for fifth with 68 missed tackles forced, behind only Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson.
The duo was highly efficient, each ranking in the top 10 at the position in success rate, defined as gaining 4 or more yards on first downs, 60% of the remaining distance on second down and converting on third and fourth down. Montgomery finished sixth, Gibbs 10th.
Gibbs also proved to be one of the league’s most explosive runners in his second season. His 13 carries of 20-plus yards were more than anyone other than Henry and Barkley, who had 75 and 95 additional carries, respectively. The Detroit back also recorded two of the top-10 speeds for ball carriers in 2024, peaking at 22.03 miles per hour on a 70-yard touchdown romp against the Titans in Week 8.