Jahmyr Gibbs was already headed toward a massive payday. David Montgomery’s departure may have made it even bigger.
The Detroit Lions’ decision to trade Montgomery to the Houston Texans in March has only sharpened the spotlight on Gibbs as training camp opens on July 28. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper recently listed the NFL’s 10 most interesting contract situations and pointed directly to Gibbs’ looming extension, noting both his production and the chance for a larger workload.
“The Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley is the highest-paid running back in the league at $20.6 million in AAV. Gibbs has certainly been productive enough to reset that market. He is also potentially set up for an even bigger role this season with the Lions trading David Montgomery to the Texans in March.”
That’s the key shift here. Gibbs was already the clear top back in Detroit, and he’s been rewriting Lions rushing records since arriving in 2023, drawing comparisons to the early run of Lions legend Barry Sanders through his first three NFL seasons.
But keeping Montgomery around would have changed the math. With a new offensive coordinator in place, Detroit might have had more flexibility in how it used that backfield instead of leaning so heavily on Gibbs as the central engine of the offense. That’s not to say the Lions would have been short on weapons - Jared Goff is still there, and the passing game gives them plenty of options - but the backfield picture looks much different without Montgomery.
Now, Gibbs stands as the team’s most dependable runner by a wide margin. Isiah Pacheco is coming off a really poor 2025, while Sione Vaki has yet to show much beyond being a sometimes-good special teams contributor.
That makes the Montgomery trade more than just a roster move. It may have helped push Gibbs into the kind of contract territory that could reshape the running back market. Had Montgomery stayed, Gibbs’ extension likely would have landed at a lower number than what he can now command.
There’s also the unresolved situation with Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons, a deal that should help set the framework for Gibbs’ next contract. With Montgomery gone, Gibbs looks even more like the future face of the Lions’ offense, and that could end up being the biggest factor in Detroit’s negotiations as camp gets underway.
In Other News...
NFL Coaches Are Already Sending A Message About Lions OC Drew Petzing
The early read on Drew Petzing is already taking shape in league circles, and it comes with a little more respect than name recognition. The Athletics latest offensive play caller rankings for 2026, built from feedback from defensive play callers and assistant coaches, did not put the new Lions coordinator in the top 10, but it did slot him among the honorable mentions alongside established names such as Sean Payton and Kevin OConnell.
For Detroit, that matters because Petzings track record in Arizona is what got him this kind of attention in the first place. His Cardinals offenses were uneven over three seasons, but the arrow pointed up in 2024, when the unit finished 12th in scoring and showed enough efficiency to put Petzing back on the radar in a serious way. It also puts him in familiar company within the division, with former Lions OC Ben Johnson landing near the top of the list and Packers coach Matt LaFleur right behind him. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Rookie May Already Be Changing The Right Tackle Battle
On the first day of Lions training camp, Blake Miller wasted little time inserting himself into one of the more interesting position battles on the roster. The rookie handled the starting right tackle work and took most of the first-team reps, a notable development for a Detroit offensive line that was a major offseason priority after the unit slipped last year. Veteran Larry Borom, meanwhile, was the one seeing a different kind of usage as the staff sorted through its early options.
Miller said he is already getting more comfortable with the playbook, and that the game is starting to slow down for him as he keeps learning. For a team that invested heavily up front and wants a cleaner year protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes, the early signs at right tackle are worth watching closely, even if camp is only just getting started. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Risk Letting Top Edge Help Slip Away Again
Jadeveon Clowney is once again the kind of pass-rush name that can make sense for a team trying to build around Aidan Hutchinson without overcommitting to one solution. The former No. 1 overall pick is fresh off one of the better seasons of his career with the Cowboys, and his appeal is pretty straightforward: he brings run support, pressure and enough versatility to help an edge group that still needs dependable help.
Detroit has been weighing its options carefully, and that is where the tension comes in. The Lions may be comfortable rolling with DJ Wonnum and rookie Derrick Moore on the outside if the right veteran never materializes, but the longer a player like Clowney remains available, the more it invites another familiar question about whether the team will add the kind of edge help that can change a defense or let another opportunity pass by. [Read more 🡒]