2024 was a breakout year for Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Improving upon his impressive 2023 rookie stats, Gibbs smashed NFL and franchise records with an incredible 1,412 rushing yards on 250 carries with 16 touchdowns. He added another 517 yards with 52 receptions on 63 targets with four touchdowns.
Detroit Lions Jahmyr Gibbs Poised for His Best Season Yet
It was an outstanding accomplishment that put the NFL on notice. But his 2025 campaign has the potential to be Gibbs’ best yet.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs the ball in the first half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Gibbs Smashing Records As a Lions Rookie
Projected to be the number two running back in his 2023 draft class, Gibbs was selected with the 12th overall pick by Detroit. Under the guidance of Lions’ running backs coach Scottie Montgomery, Gibbs began meeting those lofty expectations immediately. Joining forces in Detroit’s backfield with David Montgomery, the pair complemented each other perfectly as the NFL’s most dynamic and successful running back duo.
Known to fans as “Sonic” (Gibbs) and “Thunder” (Montgomery), the pair became fast friends. The perfect combination of speed, power, agility, and athleticism, they bonded over the difficult life circumstances that spurred them to overachieve and push through whatever obstacles blocked their path. Montgomery is the power back who doggedly refuses to be brought down and drags defenders in his wake, while Gibbs is the escape artist, confounding blockers with his speed and agility. Together, they produced almost 2,400 scrimmage yards with 24 touchdowns.
Living up to his first-round draft projection in 2023, Gibbs recorded 945 yards and 10 touchdowns on 182 carries plus 52 receptions for another 316 yards and one touchdown. Scoring the most rushing touchdowns by a rookie, he finished second among NFL rookies in total rushing yardage.
Gibbs’ Breakout Sophomore Performance
Named to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive year, Gibbs became the first player in NFL history to earn 70-plus scrimmage yards in 17 games for the 2024 season. With a total of 31 touchdowns over two years, he tied L.A. Rams running back Kyren Williams for the NFL’s top spot.
However, even more impressive was how Gibbs stepped up after Montgomery went down with a serious MCL injury. With “D-Mo” out for several weeks and the Lions locked in a fierce battle for the NFC’s number one seed, the responsibility for Detroit’s ground game fell squarely on Gibbs’ shoulders. But true to form, he delivered in a big way.
An absolute workhorse during Montgomery’s three-game absence, Gibbs recorded five rushing touchdowns on 64 carries for 365 yards, plus 13 receptions for 122 yards with one touchdown. He looked unstoppable in the Week 18 season finale, scoring four touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings. Accounting for 28 of the Lions’ 31-9 point landslide, Gibbs rushed for three touchdowns and caught a fourth. It was an amazing performance by one of the most explosive, dominant players in the NFL.
Gibbs’ Early Years
Overcoming seemingly impossible odds and achieving incredible results isn’t new to Gibbs. He’s been doing it his entire life. Growing up in a dysfunctional household in Dalton, GA., Gibbs became a legally emancipated minor at age 13. Raised by his maternal grandmother, the two lived in a homeless shelter for a while. While living at the shelter, Gibbs met Dusty Ross, a shelter volunteer. Eventually, Ross, along with her husband Greg, would become his adoptive parents.
During this time, Gibbs became known as a standout athlete, earning First-Team All-American honors in 2019. In addition, he was named Georgia’s Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-State in 2019 and 2020.
By the time he moved in with the Ross family, Gibbs was already being pursued by college scouts. One recruiting coach in particular, Tashard Choice, from Georgia Tech, made a very positive impression on him. While still a high school junior, he committed to Georgia Tech, wanting Choice to become his future coach.
A four-star prospect a year later, Gibbs received competing offers from Michigan, Texas A&M, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. But in an early demonstration of his loyalty and belief in Choice, Gibbs honored the commitment he made to Georgia Tech.
Gibbs’ College Years
As a freshman, Gibbs earned an All-ACC Honorable Mention as a return specialist. Under Choice’s guidance, Gibbs continued to improve in his sophomore year. In his first two years at Georgia Tech, he recorded 232 carries for 1,206 yards with six touchdowns. Gibbs added another 31 returns for 794 yards with one touchdown.
When Choice left Georgia Tech in December of 2021 to become the running backs coach for the Texas Longhorns, Gibbs left as well. He finished his college career at Alabama, where he tallied 151 carries for 926 yards with seven touchdowns, plus 44 receptions for 444 yards with three touchdowns.
Why 2025 Could Be Gibbs’ Best Year Yet
Diagnosed with a season-ending injury that required surgery, Montgomery refused to accept the prognosis. Determined to make it back for the playoffs, he sought second and third opinions. Ultimately, the doctors agreed surgery wasn’t necessary. But even the return of the NFL’s best rushing duo couldn’t save the Lions from a crushing 45-31 defeat against a dominant Washington Commanders team. After overcoming so much adversity and earning the number one seed with an NFL-best 15-2 record, to be prematurely bounced from the playoffs was devastating.
But Dan Campbell built this team. When the Lions get knocked down, they come back stronger. The pain and frustration these players experienced after last year’s playoff loss is embedded in their core. The only way out is up. If you want to do better, then be better.
After losing Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson, Campbell assembled what may be his best coaching staff ever. Scottie Montgomery was promoted to assistant head / wide receivers coach. New offensive coordinator John Morton and passing game coordinator David Shaw could elevate Jared Goff’s game to an entirely new level. Veteran offensive line coach Hank Fraley assumes the added responsibility of run game coordinator.
After seeing what Choice accomplished with Gibbs at Georgia Tech and later with Bijan Robinson at Texas (1,580 yards on 258 carries with 18 touchdowns plus 314 yards on 19 catches with two touchdowns), Campbell hired him as the running backs coach. While Gibbs is happy to be reunited with his former mentor, Montgomery will benefit as well from Choice’s expert coaching.
In addition to his close relationship with Gibbs, Choice is best friends with DC Kelvin Sheppard. The two work well together and can provide run-game insights from their differing perspectives.
The friendly competition between Gibbs and Montgomery only brings out the best in each other. Seeing what Gibbs accomplished in Week 18, we may have only seen the tip of the iceberg from him. Don’t bet against either of these two. Overcoming obstacles by overachieving is what they do best.
Main Photo: [David Reginek] – USA Today Sports