Jahmyr Gibbs is quickly becoming one of the most electrifying young talents in the NFL - and the numbers back it up. Through two seasons, the Lions’ dynamic running back hasn’t just lived up to his first-round billing; he’s drawing comparisons to the early days of Barry Sanders. That’s not a name you throw around lightly in Detroit, but Gibbs’ blend of speed, vision, and versatility has put him in rare company.
With that kind of production this early in his career, it’s no surprise the Lions are already looking ahead to a potential contract extension. The good news for Detroit?
They’ve got time. Gibbs is under team control through 2026 thanks to his rookie deal, and as a former first-round pick, the Lions can pick up a fifth-year option to keep him through 2027.
So, any extension talk right now is about locking in their star beyond that - into 2028 and beyond.
But here’s where it gets interesting: the market for elite running backs has shifted. Saquon Barkley’s extension with the Eagles set a new bar, averaging $20.6 million per year. That’s now the number everyone in Gibbs' camp is eyeing - and the one Detroit would probably like to stay under.
If you're the Lions, you’re looking at a young back who’s already shown he can be a game-changer, both as a runner and a receiver. He’s a cornerstone of your offense.
But you’re also juggling other key extensions. Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta, and Jack Campbell - all part of the same exciting young core - are also eligible for new deals soon.
That’s a lot of talent to keep in-house, and how the team prioritizes those negotiations could shape the future of this roster.
One projection making the rounds has Gibbs landing a four-year, $80 million deal - right on that $20 million annual mark. That would make him one of the highest-paid backs in the league, and it would send a clear message: the Lions are going all-in on their young nucleus.
If Detroit does manage to lock up Gibbs, LaPorta, Branch, and Campbell this offseason, it would be a massive statement of intent. It’s not just about keeping talent - it’s about keeping the chemistry that powered this team’s recent rise. The Lions have built something special, and making sure their young stars stay in Honolulu blue for the long haul would be a major step toward sustaining that momentum.
Bottom line: Jahmyr Gibbs has earned this conversation. Now it’s up to Detroit to figure out how to make the numbers work while keeping the band together.