Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs may not be waiting much longer for his next payday.
NFL insider Jonathan Jones said on social media that Gibbs is “the last RB standing” and that “Sources have expressed optimism a deal would get done this week for Gibbs.” That comes as the market around him has already moved, with Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor reportedly landing a two-year, $44 million extension.
Taylor’s deal carries an average annual value of $22 million per season, which puts him behind Bijan Robinson’s $22.25 million annual salary. The bigger question for Gibbs, though, could be guaranteed money. Robinson secured $51 million in guarantees, while Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love signed a fully guaranteed $53 million rookie contract.
Those numbers have fueled the sense that Gibbs could be in line to reset the running back market altogether. Many around the league expect him to eventually become the highest-paid player at his position.
Detroit offensive coordinator Drew Petzing talked about Gibbs with local reporters Thursday morning and made it clear the Lions are expecting plenty from him once the deal situation is settled.
“One of our best players. (He is) going to be ready when the moment comes. I think we know what that's gonna look like when he hits the field for us.”
Meanwhile, Robinson said he and Gibbs have stayed in touch throughout the offseason.
“We just told each other, ‘Just hang in there, everything’s going to get done, everything’s going to be all right.' And it’s cool to see him go through it, too," Robinson said.
"And I hope he gets the most out of what he deserves because he deserves it. Deserves it all.”
Robinson also said the two have embraced the back-and-forth over who belongs atop the running back hierarchy.
“The Bijan-Gibbs debate is actually cool to see. It actually helps us both out because every single Sunday or whatever day we play, we’re always trying to compete against each other," said Robinson.
"And to have a guy like that, that I can compete with in whatever game he’s playing in and whatever game I’m playing in, we just know that we have to give our best effort. So, it’s cool to experience that.”
In Other News...
Isaac TeSlaa Faces An Early Camp Test In Crucial Year 2
Isaac TeSlaa is spending training camp trying to turn a strong rookie season into a bigger role for the Lions, and the focus right now is less on highlight plays than on the finer points of his craft. Detroit wants him to expand his route tree and sharpen his technique, the kind of work that can separate a promising young receiver from one who is ready for a larger share of the offense.
Dan Campbell said TeSlaa has run into some of the usual growing pains that come with those adjustments, but the coach made it clear the team sees this as part of the development curve rather than a setback. Campbell likened it to refining a golf swing, the sort of thing that only gets better through repetition, and TeSlaas next step will be showing that the work in practice can carry over once the games start to matter again. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Camp Still Leaves Big Questions About Who's Really Ready
Detroits seventh camp practice came with the kind of heat that can turn a routine August session into a test of endurance, and several players were left managing their workloads because of it. The Lions had a mix of limited participation and absences as the temperature and a handful of injuries shaped the day, with the staff clearly taking a cautious approach rather than forcing anyone through a long workout.
Jahmyr Gibbs was back on the field, but his return still stopped short of full participation, and Tyler Conklin also rejoined the mix after coming off the PUP list. Even so, both were handled carefully as the team eased through walkthrough work and individual periods, leaving their next step in camp as the more interesting question than simply whether they were present at all. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Camp Just Raised The Stakes For One Crowded Position
An open practice for fans gave the Lions another look at a linebacker room that has become more interesting by the day. Detroit has been leaning into competition and depth on defense, and the recent addition of Devin White only sharpened that dynamic as the team works to keep the unit adaptable heading into the season.
Kelvin Sheppard has already pointed to Whites experience as part of the appeal, but the bigger picture is still centered on how the group sorts itself out once the pads stay on. Dan Campbell is also expected to offer an update on Malcolm Rodriguez after his ankle issue, adding another layer to a position battle that already has plenty riding on it. [Read more 🡒]