Who claimed the NFL running back market was dead? More than a month after the NFL Draft, teams are immersed in OTAs, with minicamps on the horizon. While the majority of roster-building moves have been completed, several significant contract extensions are still pending throughout the league.
The Detroit Lions exercised Jahmyr Gibbs’ fifth-year option, and with good cause. Gibbs has become one of the NFL’s finest running backs and a vital part of Detroit’s powerful offense. With backfield teammate David Montgomery no longer in the picture, Gibbs is now the unquestioned lead back.
As a result, the Lions may soon be forced to make a difficult financial decision. Despite having two years remaining on his rookie contract, reports say Gibbs may be paid more than $20 million per year on his new deal. Given that most blockbuster extensions are for four or five years, Detroit might be facing a $100 million commitment.
At first glance, the option seems obvious: keep your great playmaker. However, even as the running back market recovers, concerns about long-term durability persist. The good news for Detroit is that Gibbs has suffered less wear and tear than other beginning running backs at this point in their careers.
An ideal beginning to a fantastic career.
Early in his career, Gibbs gained from splitting the workload in Detroit’s “Sonic and Knuckles” backfield tandem alongside Montgomery. The duo worked effectively together, enabling the Lions to avoid overworking either player while fielding one of the league’s most effective running offenses. Gibbs eventually rose to prominence as the first choice.
Gibbs’ share of offensive snaps rose from 56% and 55% during his first two seasons to 67% in 2025. That percentage will almost certainly rise now that he is Detroit’s primary back. While the Lions have handled his workload carefully thus far, it is unclear how much he will be able to handle over the next few seasons.
Gibbs is under contract until the 2027 season, but if Detroit declines to negotiate an extension, another team will. Saquon Barkley, at $20. 6 million per year, tops the running back market, followed closely by Christian McCaffrey, at $19. 6 million per year.
Gibbs may easily surpass both figures. In fact, it’s not tough to imagine him earning up to $25 million per season at the top end of the market.
That raises a huge question for the Lions: should they invest more than $100 million in Jahmyr Gibbs, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history?
