Jahmyr Gibbs Joins Lions Practice as Contract Talks Reportedly Near Finish Line
Jahmyr Gibbs broke his hold-in Thursday, taking the field in full uniform for the first time since Detroit Lions training camp opened. The Pro Bowl running back worked through walkthrough drills and stretching with the first-team offense before peeling off to a side field for conditioning work with a trainer, skipping the padded portions of practice.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that Gibbs was “in uniform, taking reps during the walk/through portion of Lions practice.” In a follow-up post, Birkett added that after the walkthrough and stretch, “Gibbs went to a side field to work with a trainer,” writing that he doubted Gibbs would do much else that day.
Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network posted on X that as the Lions broke into their stretch lines, head coach Dan Campbell “walked with his arm around Gibbs” while a couple of staffers stopped to talk with him. ESPN’s Eric Woodyard reported that Gibbs would not be doing individual drills that day.
Reporters swarmed Gibbs as he headed into the locker room after practice and asked if a new deal was close. He didn’t stop to talk, but according to Birkett, he turned around and gave a thumbs up.
Reports Point to a Deal Being Close
The walkthrough appearance came the same day multiple outlets reported meaningful movement in Gibbs’ negotiations. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Lions and Gibbs have made substantial progress on a three-year extension that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid running back, a deal some outlets characterized as one both sides hoped to finalize as soon as Thursday. That is currently reported, not confirmed — the Lions have not announced anything, and Gibbs’ hold-in has not formally ended, even with him back in uniform.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes acknowledged this week that talks are ongoing, telling reporters simply, “We’re having dialogue. We’ll see where it goes.” Campbell struck a patient tone earlier in the week when addressing Gibbs’ absence. “I’m not even sweating it,” he said, adding that “whatever all this — at some point, it’ll all get done.”
Gibbs’ back has reportedly played a role in the timeline as well. Campbell noted this week that Gibbs was managing “a little bit of a back” issue that surfaced during conditioning testing, though he downplayed any long-term concern.
Robinson and Taylor Set the Market
Gibbs enters his fourth season as the last of three top-tier young backs still unsigned. Bijan Robinson kicked off the wave of deals this week, agreeing to a three-year extension with the Atlanta Falcons worth up to $75 million, averaging $22.25 million annually with $51 million guaranteed — a deal that made him the NFL’s highest-paid running back by average salary. Jonathan Taylor followed with the Indianapolis Colts, agreeing to a two-year extension worth up to $47 million, with $39 million guaranteed and a $22 million annual average, according to ClutchPoints.
With both comparable deals now in place, the framework for Gibbs’ extension is largely set. Reports have pegged a potential Gibbs deal in the $22.5 million to $23 million per year range, which would edge past Robinson’s mark and make Gibbs the highest-paid back in the league by annual value — though, as with any deal that hasn’t been formally announced, that figure should be treated as reported, not confirmed.
| Player | Team | Terms | Guaranteed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | Falcons | 3 yrs / up to $75M ($22.25M APY) | $51M | Signed |
| Jonathan Taylor | Colts | 2 yrs / up to $47M ($22M APY) | $39M | Signed |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | Reportedly ~3 yrs, $22.5M+ APY | TBD | Unconfirmed |
Why Detroit Wants Gibbs Locked Up Now
Gibbs is coming off a monster 2025 season: 1,233 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, plus 616 receiving yards and five more scores through the air. That kind of dual-threat production is why the Lions have leaned harder on him as the offense’s centerpiece, especially with David Montgomery — Gibbs’ running mate the past two seasons — now with the Houston Texans.
Locking up Gibbs before the season also removes what’s been the biggest storyline hanging over an otherwise business-as-usual training camp. Detroit is working in a new offensive scheme under coordinator Drew Petzing and retooling parts of its offensive line. Every practice Gibbs missed cut into reps he’d otherwise get building chemistry in that new system. A finished deal lets the Lions turn the page and get their best offensive weapon back to full speed before the preseason wraps.
