Lions, Gibbs come to terms on three-year extension to make him highest-paid RB
Allen Park — After a brief hold-in, the Lions and Jahmyr Gibbs have come together on a lucrative contract extension that will keep the superstar running back in Detroit through the 2030 season.
The three-year pact, which kicks in starting in 2028, averages $22.5 million per season, includes $51.5 million in guarantees, plus incentives that could drive the pact’s total value up to $75.5 million.
The new-money average is the most lucrative contract ever awarded to a running back, edging past extensions signed by Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor this week.
Holding the No. 6 pick entering the 2023 draft, the Lions traded back six spots before selecting Gibbs out of Alabama.
Viewed by most analysts as a late first-round option, Detroit received its fair share of criticism for selecting the speedy back as early as they did. However, general manager Brad Holmes was quickly vindicated when Gibbs earned Pro Bowl honors as a rookie, racking up 1,261 yards from scrimmage and scoring 11 times as the Lions won the division for the first time in three decades.
Gibbs only got better the following year, forging one of the best backfield tandems in NFL history with David Montgomery. In his sophomore campaign, Gibbs churned out 1,929 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone a league-high 20 times.
Flipping spots with Montgomery on the depth chart in 2025, Gibbs logged a career-high 737 snaps as the starter, stuffing the stat sheet once again with 1,839 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns.
This offseason, committing to Gibbs as their bell cow, Detroit traded Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a pair of draft picks and offensive lineman Juice Scruggs.
Just 24 years old, and already a three-time Pro Bowl selection, Gibbs has scored more touchdowns through three seasons than any player in NFL history — surpassing Lions Hall of Famer Barry Sanders — and is the only player in Lions history with two seasons with 17 or more scores, setting the franchise’s single-season record in 2024.
Prior to the extension, Gibbs had been under contractual control for two more seasons after the team exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal earlier this offseason.
However, it was clear he and his representation sought more stability ahead of this season, and the team made it clear since the end of the previous campaign that it was committed to reaching a long-term agreement with the standout runner.
Current and former teammates, including Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, had been supportive of Gibbs’ decision to not practice at the start of camp with negotiations ongoing, while coach Dan Campbell expressed confidence it wouldn’t take long for the deal to come together.
The conversations were complicated by Robinson also holding out for a new contract in Atlanta. Selected four spots ahead of Gibbs in the 2023 draft, Robinson has been similarly productive to begin his career, gaining 619 more yards from scrimmage while scoring 34 touchdowns.
Robinson was named a first-team All-Pro in 2025 after pacing the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage.
On Tuesday morning, Robinson reached an agreement first, coming to terms on a three-year extension beyond his fifth-year option in 2027. The new money reportedly averaged $22.25 million per season with Robinson able to earn up to $75 million across the deal with incentives.
Gibbs’ extension is the latest, top-of-market deal awarded by the Lions, with many going to Holmes’ draft picks. Among the players the team has paid in recent years are offensive tackle Penei Sewell, the wide receiver duo of St. Brown and Williams, quarterback Jared Goff, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, safety Kerby Joseph and linebacker Jack Campbell.
Wow you wrote that fast!