Two of the NFL’s most dynamic young running backs may be heading toward the same payday, and the timing could get interesting.
Falcons back Bijan Robinson and Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs are both in line for major long-term extensions this offseason after their teams already picked up their fifth-year options as a bridge to negotiations. Dolphins running back De’Von Achane has already reset the market with a four-year, $64 million extension, though he didn’t have a fifth-year option available because he wasn’t a first-round pick.
On an episode of The Insiders, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said Robinson and Gibbs both want to land near the top of the running back market, but the real question is who moves first. Garafolo suggested this could turn into a standoff between the two players, with each waiting to see where the number lands before signing.
Garafolo also said he believes both deals will get done before the season starts and that both contracts should come in near the top of the RB market. In his view, the Lions may need to strike first because Gibbs is set to take on more responsibility after the team traded RB David Montgomery to Houston.
Robinson, 24, entered the league as a first-round pick by Atlanta in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Texas. He signed a four-year, $21,958,544 rookie deal that runs through 2026 and includes a fifth-year option for 2027. His base salary for 2026 is scheduled to be $1,145,000.
Atlanta already exercised Robinson’s fifth-year option, and it is worth $11.323 million fully guaranteed for 2027.
Robinson played all 17 games in 2025 and delivered a huge season: 287 carries for 1,478 yards at 5.1 yards per carry, plus 79 receptions for 820 yards and 11 total touchdowns.
Gibbs, also 24, transferred to Alabama after two seasons at Georgia Tech and started in each of his final two college seasons. In 2022, he was named second-team All-American and second-team All-SEC.
Detroit took Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was in the final year of a four-year, $19,168,040 contract that included a $10,940,393 signing bonus when the Lions picked up his fifth-year option, worth $14.293 million fully guaranteed for the 2027 season.
In 2025, Gibbs played in all 17 games and ran 243 times for 1,223 yards at 5.0 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns. He also added 77 catches on 94 targets for 616 yards and five scores.
More on Robinson and Gibbs is expected as the situation develops.
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