Detroit Lions Set New Market Ceiling With Jahmyr Gibbs Extension

The Detroit Lions have finalized a long-term commitment to running back Jahmyr Gibbs, establishing a new financial benchmark for the position. According to Sports Illustrated, the three-year extension is worth $67.5 million and could reach $75.75 million, with $51.5 million in guaranteed money.

Gibbs now enters an elite monetary tier alongside a handful of other backs. CBS Sports reports that Gibbs' average annual value of $22.5 million surpasses that of Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, who recently signed a three-year extension worth up to $75 million with a base average annual value of $22.25 million. Other high-earners include the Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor, who signed a two-year, $44 million extension, and the Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley, who became the first running back to earn at least $20 million annually via a two-year, $41.2 million deal.

Detroit General Manager Brad Holmes indicated that securing the 2023 first-round pick was a priority this offseason. Sports Illustrated reports that the Lions utilized one-year free agent signings to preserve the funds necessary for this extension and a four-year, $81 million extension for fellow 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell.

Gibbs' production supports the investment. CBS Sports Research notes he has the most touchdowns (49) in NFL history over a player's first three seasons, as well as the most scrimmage yards (3,768) and scrimmage touchdowns (38) over the last two seasons. He is also one of only two players in NFL history, alongside Nick Chubb, to maintain a yards-per-carry average of at least 5.0 across each of his first three seasons (among those with at least 150 touches).