Jahmyr Gibbs just reset the running back market, and in the process he gave Alabama another loud reminder that its grip on the NFL’s backfield conversation isn’t going anywhere.
On Thursday, the Detroit Lions and Gibbs agreed to a contract extension that edges past the deal Bijan Robinson signed with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week. Robinson’s extension came in at three years and $75 million, with a record $51 million guaranteed. Gibbs topped it, landing a three-year, $67.5 million deal that can climb to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter.
Last but hardly least: Three-time Pro-Bowl selection Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions reached agreement today on a three-year, $67.5 million deal that could be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed, now making him the NFL’s highest-paid running back,… pic.twitter.com/eCNXOg5wMv
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 6, 2026
The move follows a summer in which Gibbs and Robinson were both working as “hold-ins” during training camp while pushing for major new contracts. Now both backs have the kind of payday they were after, and Gibbs sits alone at the top of the position’s salary chart.
For Alabama, it’s another headline-grabbing entry in a ridiculous stretch of NFL success from its running backs. Gibbs’ extension comes on the heels of Will Anderson’s three-year, $150 million deal with the Houston Texans in April, which stands as the richest non-quarterback contract in league history.
The numbers behind Alabama’s running back pipeline are just as striking. Gibbs and Derrick Henry both finished in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards last season, with Gibbs seventh and Henry second.
In 2024, Alabama had three backs inside the league’s top six in rushing yards: Henry at No. 2, Gibbs at No. 5 and Josh Jacobs at No.
That kind of production has become routine. Alabama has placed at least two former running backs in the NFL’s top 10 in rushing yards in each of the last six seasons. The only exception since 2018 was that season itself, when Henry was the lone Tide representative.
Gibbs brings more than rushing production to the Lions, too. He’s a versatile piece who lines up at receiver and works as a pass catcher out of the backfield, which only adds to his value in Detroit’s offense. With David Montgomery moved in the offseason, Gibbs is set to take on an even larger role in 2026, and the possibility of a run at the rushing title is now very much in play.
Alabama’s backfield in Tuscaloosa hasn’t produced a player quite like Gibbs since he left after his lone season there in 2022. But with Gibbs just entering his prime and Henry still rolling along, the Crimson Tide’s presence at the position in the NFL remains as strong as ever.
And there’s reason to think the next wave is coming, too. Five-star freshman EJ Crowell is viewed as a special talent, and he could be next in line to carry on the Tide’s run of elite backs. How quickly he gets on the field as a true freshman is still unclear, but he’s expected to bring back a familiar feeling in Tuscaloosa.
In Other News...
Auburns Running Back Battle Behind Jeremiah Cobb Is Getting Real
Auburns second fall camp practice offered a clearer look at the running back room, and it also made plain that the competition behind Jeremiah Cobb is still very much open. Offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said the group keeps getting better, but the Tigers are still sorting through who fits where as camp goes on and the staff keeps a close eye on how the backs handle each drill.
The reporters on hand saw different traits on display throughout the session, with some runners making their presence felt in traffic while others showed there is still work to do in the passing game and with overall burst. That kind of uneven early-camp snapshot is exactly what makes this position battle worth watching, because Auburn is not just looking for a backup behind Cobb, but for a clear order that can hold up once the real pace of the season arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns Quarterback Fate Now Rides On A Transfer Question
The transfer portal has become part of the championship blueprint in college football, and nowhere is that more obvious than at quarterback. Recent national title games have featured multiple transfer passers, underscoring how quickly a roster can change when a team finds the right veteran addition, and the SEC is again expected to lean heavily on portal talent at several spots, from quarterback to the skill positions and along the defensive front.
For Auburn, the quarterback conversation has taken on even more weight because of the potential ripple effect it could have on the offense. One of the more intriguing names in the mix is Byrum Brown, whose connection to Alex Golesh and production at South Florida make him a notable figure in a portal market where the right fit can reshape a season, but the full answer on Auburns quarterback path still depends on how that situation settles. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns New Camp Habit Says A Lot About Alex Golesh
Auburns first two preseason practices have already offered a glimpse into how Alex Golesh wants this camp to look and feel. Even before the pads come on, Golesh has had referees on hand, treating the early workouts less like a routine summer ramp-up and more like a controlled rehearsal for the season ahead. The idea, he said, is to make drills feel closer to game conditions, sharpen technique and give the staff another layer of quality control.
Golesh also sees a practical benefit for the officials themselves, since they get a chance to work through the flow of practice and handle interactions with coaches. It is a small detail, but it speaks to the tone he is trying to set in his first camp: organized, demanding and intent on getting the basics right before Auburn starts layering on the physical part of preparation. [Read more 🡒]