Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been so impressive in his first two seasons that many analysts have had to rethink their initial doubts about his draft selection. While he had an outstanding rookie campaign in 2023, he took his game to another level in 2024, surpassing 1,900 yards from scrimmage and setting a new franchise record with 20 touchdowns from scrimmage.
For much of the year, Gibbs shared backfield duties with David Montgomery, but his role expanded significantly when Montgomery was sidelined toward the end of the regular season. The most concerning part for opposing defenses? Gibbs still has untapped potential in the passing game.
Gibbs Stood Out in a Key Rushing Metric
According to The 33rd Team, Gibbs had the highest percentage of rushes gaining 10 or more yards last season (minimum 200 carries). This statistic appears to include the postseason, and based on the numbers, Gibbs broke off 46 runs of 10-plus yards on his 264 total carries. Notably, six of his 16 rushing touchdowns during the regular season came from at least 10 yards out.
The gap between Gibbs and Derrick Henry, who ranked second in this category, was nearly as large as the difference between Henry and the eighth- and ninth-ranked rushers, Tony Pollard and Joe Mixon.
Additionally, Gibbs was among the top players in yards before contact last season—a stat often attributed to strong offensive line play. However, his elite speed and agility played a major role in his ability to consistently generate explosive plays.
Comparing Gibbs to an All-Time Great Season
When thinking about the greatest running back seasons ever, Marshall Faulk’s historic 2000 campaign with the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” stands out. That year, Faulk recorded 2,189 yards from scrimmage, caught 81 passes, and found the end zone 26 times. He accomplished this while handling 334 total touches—a workload rarely seen among modern running backs.
Last season, Gibbs came close to reaching that level of production, finishing with 302 touches. Considering his efficiency, his numbers were remarkably similar to Faulk’s legendary season.
If there was any doubt about how dominant Gibbs was in 2024, the data makes it crystal clear.
