Jahmyr Gibbs hasn’t been running through Detroit’s defense in training camp lately. He’s been running through contract math instead.
The Lions’ star running back has missed practice time during a hold-in as he waits on a new deal, but the sides may finally be closing the gap. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Detroit and Gibbs have made real headway on an extension that would make him the highest-paid running back in the league.
“Sources: The Lions and star RB Jahmyr Gibbs have made substantial progress on a 3-year contract extension that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid RB,” Schultz posted on X. “The hope is to get a deal done as early as today – and Gibbs will then return to practice.”
Sources: The #Lions and star RB Jahmyr Gibbs have made substantial progress on a 3-year contract extension that will make him the NFL's highest-paid RB.
The hope is to get a deal done as early as today – and Gibbs will then return to practice. pic.twitter.com/XUBqbPRQq5
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 6, 2026
Nothing is official yet. As of Thursday morning, Yahoo Sports reported that no extension had been signed or announced, though optimism was building that Detroit and Gibbs would get something done before the week is out. The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones struck a similar tone, reporting that sources expect a deal to close this week.
Still, the signs at Allen Park have been hard to miss. Gibbs, who has been limited to conditioning work for most of camp, suited up in full pads Thursday for the first time since camp began. Asked by reporters whether a deal was close as he walked toward the practice facility, Gibbs didn’t stop to answer in words. He gave a thumbs up instead, per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic.
“Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs was asked if a deal was close and gave a thumbs up as he walked into the facility after practice,” Pouncy wrote. “Gibbs was in uniform today for the first time since camp started but was limited.”
Why the Market Suddenly Moved
Two other deals set the stage for this one. The Falcons signed Bijan Robinson to a three-year extension worth up to $75 million, including $51 million guaranteed — a deal that made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history at $22.25 million per year. Days later, the Colts locked up Jonathan Taylor on a two-year deal averaging $22 million annually.
That left Gibbs as the last major back still waiting, and it gave both sides something they didn’t have before: a clear number to negotiate against. Lions coach Dan Campbell said as much when discussing Robinson’s deal earlier in the week, calling it something that’s “certainly not gonna hurt” Detroit’s talks with Gibbs.
Any deal for Gibbs figures to have to clear that $22 million-per-year bar to be taken seriously as a market-setter, which is what multiple reports indicate the Lions and Gibbs’ camp are working toward.
| Running Back | Team | Contract Length | Average Annual Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | Falcons | 3 years | $22.25 million |
| Jonathan Taylor | Colts | 2 years | $22 million |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | 3 years (reported) | Not yet finalized |
What Gibbs Has Meant to Detroit
The urgency makes sense given what Gibbs has turned into. The 2023 first-round pick has made three straight Pro Bowls and become one of the most complete backs in football — a home-run threat between the tackles who’s just as dangerous catching passes out of the backfield.
Last season, Gibbs ran for 1,223 yards and caught passes for a career-high 616 yards, finishing with 18 total touchdowns. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, with Detroit already having exercised his $14.3 million fifth-year option for 2027.
Every practice Gibbs misses is time the Lions lose getting their most explosive offensive weapon ready for a season where he’s set to carry an even bigger workload. Detroit is also breaking in a new offense under coordinator Drew Petzing and reshuffling parts of its offensive line — reps that matter more with a bell-cow back on the field than off it.
General manager Brad Holmes has said talks are ongoing, acknowledging the cap gymnastics involved in extending a young star while Detroit already carries several long-term, big-money commitments. But with Robinson and Taylor both off the board, the Lions and Gibbs’ side appear to finally be circling a number both can live with.
