Jahmyr Gibbs’ new deal has changed the temperature in Detroit’s running back room, and it doesn’t help Sione Vaki.
The Lions and Gibbs agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million extension on Thursday, a move that comes as Detroit has been sorting through its backfield in training camp and giving its running backs a chance to work against both the first- and second-team offensive lines. That setup has been a strong test for the offensive line, and it has also created opportunities for the other backs trying to carve out a role.
Jacob Saylors and Jabari Small have been part of that push, and both were reportedly looking sharp in red-zone work on Thursday. Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman noted in his camp observations, written before Gibbs signed the extension, that “Saylors continues to impress with his speed and one-cut style of running. Meanwhile, I thought Small ran with impressive strength, particularly between the tackles during red zone drills.”
That kind of momentum matters for players fighting to stick. It matters even more now that Gibbs is back in the fold and likely to soak up more of the work that had been available in camp.
For Vaki, though, the timing is rough. The Lions’ 2024 draft pick is sidelined for a while after suffering a broken nose earlier this week, which means he’s missing precious practice time to make his case as a backup option behind Gibbs. Instead of stacking reps and showing he belongs in the mix over players like Saylors, Small, and Isiah Pacheco, he’s stuck on the outside looking in.
There’s another layer to the problem, too. Vaki is also facing more pressure on special teams after the arrival of Greg Dortch, who is reportedly starting camp strongly. That only adds to the competition Vaki has to beat out if he wants to stay in the conversation.
Dan Campbell laid out the assignment back during minicamp, and it was a pretty direct one:
"...the running back position is a little raw. He hasn’t played it all that much.
Protection, that’s something he can do, what else can he do out of the backfield, if he proves that, then, yeah. We want to move the football and find a way to win.
If he helps us do that, we’re going to find a way to put him on the field."
Without those live reps to show he can protect, contribute out of the backfield, and help the Lions move the football, Vaki’s path back into the picture is getting narrower by the day. Gibbs’ extension only sharpens that reality. If Vaki doesn’t come back to camp with urgency, Detroit may be staring at an increasingly clear roster-bubble call.
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