Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the best all-around running backs in the league, and the former first-round pick is due for another contract. Selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Alabama product has been nothing short of spectacular since entering the league. Electric as both a runner and a receiver, Gibbs has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons in the NFL and has steadily become the leader of Detroit’s backfield. After splitting carries with David Montgomery as a rookie, Gibbs recorded 250 rushing attempts for 1,412 yards and a league-best 16 touchdowns in 2024 and followed that up with 243 carries for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025.
Since then, the Lions traded David Montgomery and brought in a lesser talent in former Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Jahmyr Gibbs now has complete control of this backfield and, now entering his age-24 season, should dominate for years to come. While he still has two years of team control remaining on his contract, he is eligible for an extension, and reports across the league indicate he will break the bank.
Jahmyr Gibbs Expected to Reset the Running Back Market
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Jahmyr Gibbs could earn a contract that not only makes him the richest running back in the NFL but also completely reshapes the current market.
“Gibbs is positioned to reset the running back market in a big way,” Fowler said during a recent segment. “Think $20 million per year or over.”
As of this posting, Saquon Barkley is the NFL’s highest-paid running back on a per-year basis, averaging $20.6 million per season. Christian McCaffrey comes in at $19 million, and the recently extended DeVon Achane now earns $16 million per year. Seeing as Fowler believes Jahmyr Gibbs will reset the market, it’s safe to assume he’ll earn at least $21 million per season.
Of course, these numbers come with an asterisk. NFL contracts are not fully guaranteed and are loaded with incentives that are next to impossible to reach. However, even with that disclaimer out of the way, it’s safe to assume Gibbs will earn life-changing money with his next deal. The only question is when it will happen.
Extension Timeframe
Jahmyr Gibbs has two years of team control remaining on his rookie contract, and the Lions can use the fifth-year option to keep him from reaching the open market. After that, the team could theoretically use the franchise tag twice to retain his services at a high rate. If the Lions wanted to, they could theoretically keep him on the payroll for the next four seasons without needing to make a long-term commitment.
However, this doesn’t seem particularly likely. Jahmyr Gibbs is a core part of Detroit’s organization, and the team tends to do right by its star players. Additionally, Fowler’s report wouldn’t be leaking if the two sides hadn’t at least begun preliminary extension talks. The Lions might not extend Gibbs this season, but it would be a surprise if it doesn’t happen before the start of the 2027 campaign.
