Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs glad contract saga is over: 'I love being here'
· Yahoo Sports
Allen Park — Jahmyr Gibbs prefers when the attention isn't on him. But the NFL is a business, and the Detroit Lions star felt he needed to do what was necessary to secure his recent contract extension, an agreement that made Gibbs the highest-paid running back in league history.
Gibbs, 24, reported to the Meijer Performance Center last month for training camp but did not participate in any of the team's first six practices of the summer. He returned to practice in a limited capacity Thursday before later that day finalizing a three-year extension worth $67.5 million, including $51.5 million guaranteed.
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The deal, set to run through the 2030 season and officially ending his hold-in, became official Friday morning.
"This process was extremely stressful because I just wanted to play ball," Gibbs said Friday. "I missed being out there with my teammates and coaches. It's just fun being out there now with my pads and stuff on. It feels a lot better."
The Lions now have signed nine of their draft picks under general manager Brad Holmes to multi-year contract extensions, as Gibbs joins a group already including wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and linebackers Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes, as well as safety Kerby Joseph.
"I think before I got here, everything you hear about Detroit is negative. Since I've been here, all I can see is positive things," Gibbs said of how he views the city that's become his NFL home. "The people, it's a lot of good food here, the culture. I love being here. I'm glad I get to be here for the next five years. Extremely blessed."
The running back market has hit a boom this offseason, with three players at the position — Gibbs ($22.5 million), Atlanta's Bijan Robinson ($22.25 million) and Indianapolis' Jonathan Taylor ($22 million) — receiving contracts with average annual values north of $20 million. Before those three, Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million) was the only running back with an AAV above $20 million.
A number of running backs reached out to congratulate Gibbs, including Robinson, Taylor, Baltimore's Derrick Henry, San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey and Buffalo's James Cook. Gibbs and Robinson have had a good-natured rivalry for years; Robinson was rated by the 247Sports Composite the No. 1 overall running back coming out of high school in the Class of 2020, and Gibbs wasn't far behind at No. 8.
Robinson was drafted eighth overall in 2023. Gibbs went four spots later.
"We're both extremely competitive, we're good friends," Gibbs, who grew up in Georgia, said of his relationship with Robinson. "Of course, you want to outperform the other. That's definitely going to drive us. Thankfully, we've got a game (versus the Falcons) in Atlanta (this season), so I'm gonna be back in the crib."
Also sending a congratulatory message to Gibbs was David Montgomery, who the Lions traded to the Houston Texans this offseason. Gibbs and Montgomery formed one of the best rushing duos in NFL history from 2023-25, combining for 8,185 yards from scrimmage and 82 total touchdowns.
With Montgomery out, Lions coach Dan Campbell said he expects Gibbs to be the team's bellcow in the 2026 campaign, a responsibility Gibbs is eager to hold: "I appreciate them having that much trust in me," Gibbs said. "But for me, it's not anything I'm not used to. I think I've always been in that role until I came here. I'm ready for it. It's going to be fun."
Gibbs has found incredible, unprecedented success since the Lions selected him 12th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, scoring more touchdowns from scrimmage through his first three seasons (49) than any player who's come before him, including Lions legend Barry Sanders (47), the previous record holder.
So, what's next?
"Ultimately, I just want to win a Super Bowl with this team," Gibbs said.
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs glad contract saga is over: 'I love being here'