Detroit Lions pursue contract extension for running back Jahmyr Gibbs

The Detroit Lions are expected to negotiate a long‑term extension for rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs after a productive 2025 season in which he rushed for 1,200 yards, caught 77 passes and scored 49 touchdowns. The club exercised Gibbs’s fifth‑year option, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season, but General Manager Brad Holmes is reportedly aiming to secure a new deal, potentially worth more than $15 million per year, before the summer free‑agency period.

Analysts, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, note that the Lions may want to move quickly to beat the Atlanta Falcons, whose own first‑round back Bijan Robinson is also poised for a lucrative extension, which could drive up market values for top running backs. If an agreement cannot be reached, Detroit retains the option to apply a franchise tag in future years. The extension discussion occurs alongside the Lions’ pending contracts for tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch, all drafted in 2023.

The potential deal would place Gibbs among the NFL’s highest‑paid running backs, behind only Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry.