Jahmyr Gibbs
Getty
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs
Things are about to get expensive in the Motor City.
If the Detroit Lions weren’t already all-in on running back Jahmyr Gibbs, trading away David Montgomery and his $16.5 million contract to the Houston Texans earlier this offseason made certain of it. Detroit also increased Gibbs’ value to the team by dispatching his primary backup, thereby increasing his role and giving him more bargaining power upon his entrance into extension eligibility.
Gibbs is a former first-round pick (No. 12 overall in the 2023 NFL draft), so the Lions have an extra year of runway on locking him in longterm via the team’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Detroit has until May 1 to exercise that option, which the team will undoubtedly do and which will cost just shy of $14.3 million.
However, that annual tally pales in comparison to what Ari Meirov of 33rd Team predicted Gibbs will get whenever he does sign an extension, either this offseason or the next. Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles recently set the market for running backs with an annual average salary of $20.6 million, though Meirov projected on Tuesday, March 24 that Gibbs will dwarf that figure.
“This is the offseason of the running backs,” Meirov said. “This is the year it might really explode, and we are talking about Bijan Robinson in Atlanta and Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit.”
“My anticipation is both of these players, if and when they get extended, are gonna try and blow by that number,” Meirov continued. “We are talking about potentially as high as $25 [million], $26 million per year, because these guys are not just running backs, they are true weapons who can line up anywhere on the field and they could have a home run play at any point.”
Jahmyr Gibbs Has Been Elite Dual-Threat RB Since Joining Lions in 2023
GettyRunning back Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions.
The two issues that complicate Gibbs’ getting that kind of money are that he plays the running back position, which the league has devalued in several ways over the last decade or so, and that the Lions have so many talented players from the 2023 draft class they want to retain.
But as Meirov explained, Gibbs’ value goes well beyond just lining up as a player to whom QB Jared Goff can hand the football. Gibbs is a true dual-threat who has been to three Pro Bowls across three years in the league and has served as a feature in what has been a top-five offense for Detroit in all of those campaigns (3rd in 2023, 2nd in 2024 and 5th in 2025, per ESPN).
Last season, Gibbs produced 1,223 rushing yards and 13 TDs on 5.0 yards per carry. He added career-high marks as a receiver with 77 catches for 616 yards and five touchdowns. Gibbs will play next season at just 24 years old.
Lions Looking at Extensions for Jack Campbell, Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta
Dan Campbell Walker Little
GettyHead coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions.
Gibbs’ performance doesn’t erase how pricey the Lions’ roster is going to get, but it does potentially justify him getting paid over his each of his three top-tier teammates who also landed in Detroit in April 2023.
Tight end Sam LaPorta was elite his rookie year (second-team All-Pro) but has declined in production both seasons since and dealt with back surgery after an injury in 2025.
Safety Brian Branch has also been near the top of his position, earning Pro-Bowl honors during his second season and playing well in 2025 before tearing his Achilles tendon in early December.
Inside linebacker Jack Campbell, the Lions’ other first-round pick in 2023, has yet to miss a game in his NFL career and earned first-team All-Pro honors last season. Detroit has a fifth-year team option on his deal worth just shy of $22 million. Campbell’s market value is approximately $21.5 million annually over a new four-year contract, according to Spotrac.