David Montgomery
Getty
The Lions have been predicted to sign Jahmyr Gibbs to a contract extension after trading David Montgomery
The Detroit Lions have some work to do this offseason after missing the playoffs entirely in 2025. Head coach Dan Campbell has already kicked things off by revamping his coaching staff, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, but the real work will come once the team begins tinkering with its roster.
The first big domino fell on Monday when veteran running back David Montgomery was traded to the Houston Texans. With Jahmyr Gibbs earning more and more touches as the season progressed, Montgomery seemed likely to be headed for the exit door this offseason. And now that’s gone, it could result in Gibbs receiving a massive contract extension from Detroit.
Lions Predicted to Hand Jahmyr Gibbs a Contract Extension
Detroit received some flak back in 2023 when it decided to sign Montgomery in free agency, only to turn around and select Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick in the draft. And yet, Montgomery and Gibbs quickly turned into arguably the top running back duo in the league, with Montgomery serving as the power back, while Gibbs was utilized as the team’s speedster.
For their first two seasons together, both Montgomery and Gibbs racked up at least 1,000 total yards, with the latter leading the league with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024. As the 2025 campaign went on, though, Montgomery continued losing touches to Gibbs, and he wasn’t shy in voicing his displeasure over that development.
Now, Montgomery has landed with Houston, where he figures to serve as its No. 1 running back moving forward. As for Detroit, moving Montgomery has allowed the front office to clear some cap space, and according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team turn around and use that money to sign Gibbs to a long-term contract extension.
“(Gibbs) stays, probably to get a huge contract extension,” Rapoport said on “Good Morning Football.” “Jahmyr Gibbs, no doubt one of the pillars of the Lions offense for the next several years. Gonna get a huge deal, needed to clear some money to do that.”
Lions Set Themselves Up Nicely After David Montgomery Trade
GettyRunning back Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions.
Assuming the Lions exercise the fifth-year option in Gibbs’ rookie contract, the front office still has two years to negotiate a new contract with him. Given how productive Gibbs has been, though, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see that the front office is looking to get ahead of things by settling his contract situation this offseason.
The running back market isn’t known for being pricy, but when you have a player like Gibbs, who makes such a big impact both as a runner and a receiver, it’s clear that he may be the exception to that rule. And with more touches set to come his way now that Montgomery is gone, it’s clear that Detroit needs to do whatever it can to make Gibbs feel valued. The Lions have some more pressing needs to deal with, but a new deal for Gibbs could be right around the corner.