The Detroit Lions need to get an extension done with running back Jahmyr Gibbs sooner rather than later.
Through his first three seasons, Gibbs has been an electric playmaker for Detroit and has established himself as one of the best running backs in football. The Alabama product is coming off another terrific campaign in 2025, where he tallied 1,223 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, along with 77 receptions for 616 yards and five scores through the air.
Gibbs is going to break the bank in his next contract with the Lions, and the 24-year-old just got a key contract update on Thursday as a fellow star running back signed a lucrative extension with his respective franchise.
Gibbs gets $68 million contract update via De'Von Achane
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Miami Dolphins are signing their franchise running back, De'Von Achane, to a four-year extension worth $68 million with $32 million guaranteed. At $17 million per year, the deal makes Achane the third-highest paid running back.
"BREAKING: The #Dolphins and Pro Bowl RB De'Von Achane have agreed to a 4-year extension worth $68M, making him the NFL’s 3rd-highest-paid RB at $17M per year with $32M guaranteed, per multiple sources," Schultz reported.
The only running backs getting more money annually than Achane are Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million) and Christian McCaffrey ($19 million).
It's safe to assume that Gibbs will receive more than $17 million per season, but the question is whether he will pass Barkley to become the highest-paid player at the position.
Gibbs deserves record-breaking money from Detroit, and with David Montgomery now out of the picture, we could see the 2023 first-round pick ascend to another level in 2026.
The Lions should look to get an extension done with Gibbs before the start of the season, and we'll see what it looks like. But after Achane's contract, Detroit now knows the ballpark of what Gibbs will ask for in a new deal.